UST Growling Tigers: From ground zero to gaining ground

MANILA, Philippines – Aldin Ayo smiled.

His University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers picked up their first win in a tournament in these past five months he’s been in charge. “Big win” was how Ayo succinctly put the 98-88 triumph over a winless squad in Jose Rizal University.

“It’s an understatement,” he admitted later on.

His teams haven’t won in tournaments or tune-up matches.

“There’s one,” the coach remembered. “It was a tune-up match against Perpetual Help.”

The Altas are another team in transition with a new coach — albeit a winning one too — but bereft of talented players and blue chippers. In other words... they’re in the same boat.

“Ground zero” is how Ayo described the landscape that he inherited over in UST — losing seasons, unhappiness, discontent, players not suiting up and looking to leave.

“Kahit bola, wala kami,” he added. Whether an exaggeration or not, one thing can be ascertained — all was not well.

“One of the first things we did when we took over in January was try to persuade our players from leaving,” recounted Ayo.

There was word that forward Zach Huang sought to leave. That Steve Akomo was out. Talented guard Renzo Subido was back. Ditto with mercurial forward Embons Bonleon.

After his tirade against the former coach and in essence, the team, and management, it was thought that Bonleon had burned his bridges with UST. Apparently, all is forgiven and it’s a time for healing. And it’s a blank slate that Ayo and the Tigers have been handed right now.

Work in progress

But how long will that last for the long-suffering UST supporters? While there is genuine excitement at the arrival of Ayo after steering Letran and La Salle to titles in their respective leagues in his first year with those teams as they choked the life out of offenses — and walked the swagger talk — the Bicolano coach preaches caution, patience and understanding.

“We have a lot of work to do. A lot. We didn’t even get many recruits. They were walk-ins,” he said of the transfer of Ken Zamora from Arellano University. “CJ Cansino. Can he be considered a recruit? Galing na siya sa amin.”

Zamora sizzled in the win over JRU hitting crucial 3-pointers to bombard the Heavy Bombers.

Three-pointers.

In that aforementioned match against the Altas, UST guard Marvin Lee buried a game-winning triple at the buzzer.

Triples.

You can bet no other coach will make use of this weapon more than Ayo and the Growling Tigers.

Tigers turn to 'small ball'

Last UAAP Season 80, UST was dead last in triples with only 174 attempted (for a measly 12 attempts in a game). The next team with more attempts beyond the arc was UE and they shot 88 more times than the Tigers.

In these past five months, and for this purpose, the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, UST is averaging 30.1 3-point attempts per game.

While in Letran, Ayo’s team played a punishing full court press. While in La Salle, the coach pointed a weapon of mass destruction in Ben Mbala against opponents with devastating results.

Now, in UST, Ayo is playing small ball and jacking up an ungodly number of 3-pointers — an average of 30.1 per game.

In DLSU, Ayo’s team averaged 18 3-point attempts in UAAP Season 79 and 25 shots in UAAP Season 80.

Ayo has an explanation: “We just want to maximize what we have especially the players. Wala kaming big man although Steve Akomo should be able to return for about two games in this Filoil tournament.”

Ayo also disclosed that he is waiting for a couple more big men by May’s end. “It will be the end of classes so we can finally practice with everyone present.”

Despite the early losses, Ayo’s smile remains in place. There’s a grand plan. It might not bear fruit this coming UAAP Season 81. But it will eventually.

“Of course, I am happy,” he disclosed. “Heto yung gusto ko. Kaming lahat we got what we wanted. Letran and La Salle are doing well now; maganda takbo nila. Nasa tama kaming sitwasyon. Sa UST maganda rin takbo namin. Lahat nagtra-trabaho. But we have to teach more skills.We have to be patient. Hindi ganun kadali. But I am happy to see the players working hard. These players are really motivated. There is progress and they are gaining confidence. Hopefully, before the season starts, mag-improve pa kami."

“Sa transfer ko, everybody benefitted from it. Personally, I am happy with UST because I am building something from scratch.”

And that’s the plan… from Ground Zero to Ground Up.