COUNT on University of Santo Tomas to maintain its hunger, as the Growling Tigresses would rather see themselves as underdogs despite coming in as defending champions in UAAP Season 87.
That’s exactly what coach Haydee Ong would like her wards to keep in mind as they shun complacency ahead of their title retention bid.
“It’s a different team,” she told SPIN.ph. “We want to forget what we did last season and we want to keep on working harder. Dapat walang complacent.”
READ: Gritty UST Tigresses end NU Lady Bulldogs' seven-year reign
Ong admits that UST, which won the women’s basketball crown for the first time since 2006 last year, finds itself in an unfamiliar situation, now turning from hunter to hunted.
But it’s a challenge that the Tigresses are welcoming as they lean on Mythical Team member Kent Pastrana, Tacky Tacatac, and former MVP Eka Soriano to be the leaders for this team following the graduations of Tantoy Ferrer and Nikki Villasin.
“Yung pressure naman is always a privilege for us. I always tell them that if they’re feeling that pressure, they should embrace that and take it as positive motivation for the team,” said their mentor.
UST's impact rookies
It also helps that UST is bringing in to its lair five blue-chip rookies led by Karylle Sierba and Gin Relliquette, whom Ong expects big things from.
“Very excited ako because I think they can help and contribute right away. May period of adjustment naman yan lagi, but they’re ready to step up,” she said, banking on this “mixture of energy and experience.”
Ong, however, isn’t one to guarantee anything even if UST remains as favorite to go back-to-back.
Though she maintains meager expectations which would allow the Tigresses to overachieve, all she wants is to see her players fight every game and take it slowly but surely - much like they did last season.
The championship, she re-emphasized, will come as long as UST will work hard for it.
“Kilala niyo naman ako na lagi naman na yung expectations ko, mababa muna. Ang importante sa akin, lalaban kami,” said Ong.
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