Heading into the final day of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s 3×3 basketball tournament, University of Santo Tomas badly needed wins.
The memories of their disappointing 5-on-5 campaign that saw them finish with a 3-11 slate were still fresh in the minds of Sherwin Concepcion, Bryan Santos, Nic Cabanero, and Royce Mantua.
All the Growling Tigers wanted was a feel-good moment to cap their season that was two years in the making.
With Concepcion leading the way, UST defeated both Far Eastern University and De La Salle University. And they reached 21 points in both of those games which boosted their ranking to the second seed.
Reaching 21 points is particularly important in 3×3 basketball. And head coach Jinino Manansala was able to know about the quirks of the game from one of Aldin Ayo’s staff who works in both UST and Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas.
Ayo has also mastered the game of 3×3 after being tapped as head trainer of Chooks’ squads.
“Yung isa sa coaching staff namin nagwo-work din sa Chooks kaya binigyan kami ng drills na susundin. Siyempre, running time dito mabilis so kailangan every time yung bola labas at mag-decide kagad kung ano ang gagawin,” said Manansala.
“Ang importante dito is maka-score kami lagi ng 21 points.”
But then came the playoffs.
UST defeated University of the Philippines anew, 21-12 (7:05), to set up a finals clash with La Salle.
In the early stages of the finale, the Growling Tigers faced a nine-point deficit. But the UST quartet made sure to not go home from Calagan, Batangas without gold.
Santos, Cabanero, and Mantua joined hands in rallying UST back. When they got back in the game, Concepcion made sure to provide the finish.
Though not as glamorous as winning the 5-on-5 crown, the weight of winning the 3×3 trophy has the same bearing in the overall general championship race.
More importantly, UST got its win.
“Napakalaki talaga nito. Madami pinagdaanan yung team pero thankful kami kasi kung hindi dahil sa mga kasama namin before, hindi magiging ganito ang mga bata,” said Manansala, paying tribute to his former staff who resigned a week after their campaign. “Talagang pangarap namin ito. Nung sinabi na may 3×3, binuo namin ng maayos yung team.
“Para sa UST tong panalo na ‘to.”
At para kay Ayo.
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