the UST Growling Tigers 2012-2013 First Five

By the looks of how the recruitment wars in the UAAP for next season, it seems my alma mater will not have any chances on landing any recruits. Jeron Teng was "signed" by DLSU, the La Salle Juniors stand outs are also going to DLSU.  NU will land the RP Youth Team Captain. TADMU will of course be TADMU.

Moving on, UST will most likely not have any true rookies: Hainga and Estabillo as far as I know are not true rookies and I have not seen them play.

But on a positive note we will have some returnees.

the First Five. 

Partida 5'7 lang height ko!

Point Guard - Jeric Fortuna 


Jeric Fortuna is one of; if not the most, under rated Point Guard in the UAAP. This guy can facilitate for his team mates he averages 3.4 assists per game. Also this guy can defend he averages about 1.5 Steals per game. Lastly this guy can score, either by driving to the basket or from the perimeter his last season average is 14.1 points per game. Not bad for an under rated Point guard. And by the way he is in the top 5 of 3 Statistical Categories.



Shooting Guard - Clark Bautista

kunyari Point Guard ako,
pero Shooting Guard Talaga

Tata is a shooting guard not a point guard. Even though his height is just 5'10 he will make it up by making those shots from the rainbow country. When Tata's shots are falling the other team will be in for a long night but I think he should try to imitate Rip Hamilton remember Rip Hamilton during Detroit's championship run? Pump fake, one dribble, jump shot, swish!





Small Forward - Aljohn Mariano

Height + Skill? or 

Mariano will be the defensive stopper in this lineup. Plus he can create his own shot when he gets isolated at the top of the key, Mariano stands at 6'4 this blogger thinks that he can create mismatches with his size and speed and his shooting. And please kindly tell Rolly Manglapaz that it is Small Forward not Shooting Forward.



Power Forward - Carmelo Afuang

With Camus gone. Afuang needs
to step up defensively.

Another under rated player from UST; Afuang was not able to shine last season due to Camus' stellar play but with Camus gone due to eligibility I think that this is Afuang's chance to show his skills. This guy has a decent jump shot, can defend with his feet and can out rebound his opponents by boxing out and using his brain than his muscle. A jack of all trades but master none.

UST's true Savior

Center - Karim Abdul

UST's anchor at the middle. Karim Abdul is the only real post presence UST has had after Jervy Cruz graduated. This man monster averages a league best 11.4 rebounds and 11 points per outing. Not bad for a newcomer, he showed his strength against fellow Foreign Born Players Emmanuel Mbe and Alinko Mbah. With Coach Chris Cantonjos working with him this off season expect a better Karim Abdul next season.  He already has a decent jumpshot and a post move maybe a few more Coach Cantonjos sessions will do wonders for him.Maybe he can add a Skyhook to his current weapons? I can dream right?