MANILA, Philippines — Pressure got to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, team captain Nic Cabañero admitted, as they missed 24 free throws in another close loss in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
UST absorbed a slim 89-88 defeat at the hands of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Wednesday.
In the game, the Tigers were fouled 39 times and shot 52 free throws. However, they made just 28 of their attempts, good for 53.8%.
Of course, this would have spelled the difference in the close game.
‘Ayun, I think, feel ko nadala lang kami sa pressure on that aspect. But we’re gonna work hard. Gawin namin yung best namin to improve on that,’ Cabañero told reporters after the game.
‘We have the chances to win just one or two free throws away to get the ball game. But unfortunately, ayun, nanalo talaga yung UP at that,’ he added.
Free throw shooting has been a weak link for the Espana-based squad, as they shoot a league-worst 58.6% from the free throw stripe as of November 5.
Against UP on Wednesday, UST led by as much as 15 points, 36-21, before UP clawed out of the hole.
But the Tigers continued to pound the ball inside as they took advantage of the Diliman-based squad’s fouls.
However, UST center Collins Akowe, who drew 14 fouls himself, shot just 10-of-20 from the free throw line. Cabañero, who finished with 18 points, made just half of his six attempts from the stripe.
In the fourth quarter, the Tigers missed five free throws.
Guard Amiel Acido, though, made free throws to push UST, 88-87, with 34.5 seconds to go, but Harold Alarcon’s jumper hit the bottom of the net with 24.3 seconds left for the win.
UST tried to go for the win, but short stabs by Acido and a turnover by Akowe, iced UP’s win and the Tigers’ fourth straight defeat this season.
Cabañero, however, said the team continues to trust the process.
‘Naniwala pa rin kami na kayang kaya namin manalo sa mga remaining games namin. And of course, that aspect of free throws, lahat kami nagka-miss e. I think we should do better than that. Kailangan pa namin na patibayan pa rin yung loob namin na walang pressure dapat,’ he said.
‘Kami pa rin naglalaro at the end of the day. Tiwala pa rin kami sa Panginoon Diyos na I think He has a perfect plan for us to still believe na kayang-kaya namin.’
And now with four elimination games remaining, the Tigers have to be quick to move on, the high-scoring wing said.
‘I think that life must go on kahit anong mangyari. All of us may naramdaman tayo ng struggles and failures, but it doesn’t stop us. We should keep moving forward kahit anong mangyari,’ he underscored.
‘We should never give up kasi pangit yun eh. Pangit yung gano’ng mentality eh. Kaya dapat, ano kami, we should show our mental toughness on and off the court,’ he added.
‘We still have four games that we should win. We’ll take it one game at a time. Pangit kasi pag nagsisihan pa kami. Dapat dito mas makikita yung team na mas buo pa kami. Kahit anong mangyari, walang iwanan.’
UST will return to action on Sunday as they take on a dangerous Far Eastern University squad at 1:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.