NO doubt about it, University of Santo Tomas is certainly feeling all sorts of positivity.
Matching the preseason hype with the early success they're enjoying this UAAP Season 88, the Growling Tigers have proven to be true title contenders in every sense of the word so far.
"Masarap sa feeling kasi naniniwala ako na every success, you have to go through the process. Hindi yun agad agad at kailangan yun pagtrabahuan," said captain Nic Cabanero.
"Happy naman kami na we're progressing," added co-captain Forthsky Padrigao.
READ: Cabanero, UST make coach Pido proud with NSD triumph over Ateneo
Currently at 4-1, UST has taken down juggernaut after juggernaut as it now owns wins against powerhouse teams like University of the Philippines and La Salle, and even gutted out a 98-89 triple overtime classic against a tough Ateneo side on Saturday inside enemy territory at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Yet as big as these wins are, the two leaders of the Thomasian crew were quick to pop the bubble and humble their side.
"For me, wala pa kaming napapatunayan," Padrigao stated.
"We're in the first round, pero may second round pa tayo. Every ball game sa UAAP, parang laging 50-50 chances eh. So for us, sana ma-sustain lang namin yung good start."
"Pinaghihirapan talaga namin para makuha yung panalo, but I can't say na nasa top na kami kasi may second round pa eh," Cabanero added .
"Other teams will do their best to adjust, so kami rin dapat mag-adjust. We have to treat every game with respect kasi lahat sila malakas kaya dapat pagtrabahuan pa namin ng maigi."
And there are clear facets of the game which they feel they can improve more on.
"We have to improve our free throws kasi sobrang dami naming minimintis," said Cabanero, zooming in on UST's 61.15-percent shooting from the charity stripe which ranks sixth in the league.
That was the case once more in that game versus Ateneo where the black-and-gold crew only converted 22 out of their 40 free throws.
"We know that every point, every shot, it matters every game," said Cabanero.
Padrigao focused on a different factor.
"We just really need to improve on our defense,” he said.
The Growling Tigers actually allow the most points in the league with 83.0 points per contest on 38.61-percent shooting, as well as 41.2 points in the paint -- another league-worst.
Nonetheless, there are things that they can build on, from forcing a league-best 16.2 turnovers to ranking first in rebounding (51.8 boards) and blocks (4.2 rejections).
"Yun ang sinasabi ng coaches namin, na we have to put pride on our defense," said Padrigao.
Still, those championship aspirations are no longer a pipe dream for UST as it has put itself in a position to contend for the crown.
But it's still a long way to go and until then, the Growling Tigers are just staying the course.
"Lahat ng teams may goal na makuha yung championship," said Cabanero. "Marami pa rin kaming lapses pero ang mahalaga, nakukuha namin ang panalo."
Padrigao was just as frank.
"Lagi naman andyan yung mga usapan pagdating sa kung anong pwedeng maabot ng team. Those championship dreams, it's always gonna be at the back of our minds but we just take things one game at a time,” he said.
"We'll just play for each other and make the UST community proud, and malay natin, di ba?"
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