IT'S one thing to put the league on notice. It's another to show you're serious about making a run for the crown.
University of Santo Tomas will try to do just that on Saturday when it takes on La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Growling Tigers sent shockwaves last week with an 87-67 walloping of defending champion University of the Philippines, displaying their intention to really go for broke in a year where they serve as hosts.
READ: Collins Akowe too much to handle in UST statement win against UP
Collins Akowe was the loudest in making that statement, unfurling 29 points and 17 rebounds in his debut for the black-and-gold, as he was joined in that opening weekend shocker by hot-shooting Kyle Paranada and always-dependable Nic Cabanero.
What made that win more impressive was that UST did it without senior playmaker Forthsky Padrigao, who was serving his one-game suspension.
That, however, won't be the case in this one, as the former Gilas Pilipinas Youth member will be in tow for the Pido Jarencio-coached Growling Tigers when they try to not just go 2-0 and claim another big fish in the Green Archers, but also end a 16-game losing skid to the Taft side.
But of course, nothing comes easy, especially against a La Salle side still flaunting Mike Phillips and reinforced that strength with the arrivals of Jacob Cortez and Mason Amos.
READ: Cortez saves the day as La Salle survives pesky Adamson
That couldn't be more evident than on opening day when the green-and-white hacked out a 60-58 escape vs. Adamson, allowing coach Topex Robinson to heave a bit of a sigh of relief.
Game time is at 4:30 p.m. following the 2 p.m. game between National University (1-0) and Far Eastern University (0-1).
READ: NU blasts off in UAAP Season 88 after blowing out UE
Jake Figueroa, as expected, has been stellar for the Bulldogs, as he starred in their 72-57 blowout of University of the East.
READ: Ladi makes quite the first impression in Ateneo OT win over FEU
On the other hand, the duo of Janrey Pasaol and Jorick Bautista want to bounce back after absorbing a painful 86-83 overtime loss to Ateneo in the very first game of the tourney.
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