Sta. Ana to suit up for UST despite bum shoulder

MANILA, Philippines – Despite battling shoulder pain that kept him out of the University of Santo Tomas’ 70-96 loss to Far Eastern University, the Growling Tigers’ Jordan Sta. Ana will suit up this Sunday against National University.

“Kailangan namin ng panalo,” reasoned out Sta. Ana, UST’s leading scorer with an average of 13.9 points per game as well as its top assists man with 4.4 dishes per outing. The Cainta-native is also pulling down 2.0 rebounds a match.

The sophomore — he transferred from the University of the East after his freshman year — was hurt during training last week when teammate Marvin Lee accidentally pulled his arm during a rebound battle. Sta. Ana was scheduled for an X-ray within the next day or so but no one was able to attend to him.

“Masakit,” said Sta. Ana of his shoulder injury, the most serious in his young playing career. “Pero mas masakit pag natatalo kami.”

The Growling Tigers are the only winless squad in the 80th season of the UAAP with a 0-9 record. When Sta. Ana was playing for the Colegio De San Benildo Blue Wolves in the Metro Manila Basketball League, they won a couple of titles. He transferred to NU where he played in his final year in high school, but the Bullpups were unable to defend their title against Mike Nieto and the Ateneo Blue Eaglets.

With UST, the 20-year old Sta. Ana has found a home. And Jordan hopes to lead the Growling Tigers to their first win of the season.

“Basta kahit anong mangyari, maglalaro ako sa next game,” he promised.

UST takes on reeling NU (3-5) at 2p.m. this Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.