UST Growling Tigers target UAAP Season 88 championship in hosting year

Updated Sat, September 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM Published Thu, September 18, 2025 at 12:34 PM

The UST Growling Tigers are aiming for the UAAP Season 88 championship, which they are hosting, with a "championship or bust" mentality led by skipper Nic Cabañero.

This marks their first title attempt in 19 years, fueled by a previous Final Four loss to the University of the Philippines (UP).

Collins Akowe is expected to be a key player for the Tigers, while the team combines experienced players like Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao with emerging talents like Kyle Paranada.

Head coach Pido Jarencio considers this squad, potentially the most talented he has managed since 2023, to be "solid".

The Growling Tigers will open their season against the reigning champions, UP, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Meanwhile, UP is focused on their title defense despite the departure of key players like JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Francis Lopez.

Assistant coach Christian Luanzon stated that the team's pressure comes from their own standards, not external expectations.

UP aims to achieve back-to-back championships for the first time in school history, adding new talent like Mythical Five member Rey Remogat to their backcourt.

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University of the Philippines UST Growling Tigers JD Cagulangan

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