Written by: Axel Adame and Kim Dator Photo by: Laurence Gabriel Arellano and Doroteo Prudenciano II
The Thomasian community growled in synergy as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) conducted “Tiger Resurgence: UAAP Kickoff Party 2022,” organized by Tiger Media Network (TMN) and the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (UST-IPEA), at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion last September 28.
The kickoff party aimed to send off the student-athletes and fire up their spirits for the upcoming season 85 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
The hosts, Joanne Villanueva and Kobe Dayao of the UST Tiger TV Sports, opened the event by featuring six rookies of this season’s roster in interview segments.
Following this was an intermission number by the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe accompanied by the UST Yellow Jackets. A pre-recorded video performance showcasing the famous spots in the university was also featured.
Afterward, the various sports teams of the university, along with their coaches, were introduced while doing the university’s signature “Go USTe!” chant across the arena.
Director of UST-IPEA, Rev. Fr. Rodel S. Cansancio, officially marked the pep rally with his welcome remarks focused on UST’s goal of winning in the 85th season of UAAP.
“UST will rise as one,” Rev. Fr. Cansancio pronounced as he ended his welcome remarks.
To establish athlete participation, El Legaspi of UST Tiger TV hosted a game called “Tomasino Name It” which featured the sports culture in the university. The sports teams showcased their special performances subsequently.
An exhibition game between the UST Alumni team and the current UST Men's basketball team also took place at the kickoff party which ended with a score of 112-93, resulting in the victory of the current line-up of the UST Growling Tigers.
Along with the kickoff party, the yellow day celebration, a Thomasian tradition, was also brought back on the same day in support of the Thomasian athletes set to participate in the upcoming season of UAAP.
Furthermore, some of the student-athletes from the UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE) who are set to participate in the 85th season of UAAP shared their goals and expectations for their upcoming games.
Civil engineering student-athlete Marvin Joseph Trillana who will play for the university’s men’s baseball team, UST Golden Sox, mentioned that the general championship of UST and the victory of their team are his expectations for the coming season.
From the UST Tiger Fencers, electronics engineering student-athlete Joseph Den Amores shared that the passion behind his fence was rooted because of his asthma and inclination in exercising. He expects a better performance of their team and their championship, together with the overall championship of UST.
For Jana Elizabeth Torres, a student-athlete from Mechanical Engineering Department, the Thomasian community was the reason why she ended up playing for UST. Torres will play for the university’s women’s volleyball team, UST Growling Tigresses, this season of UAAP.
Miguel Pangilinan, a civil engineering student-athlete and the UST Growling Tigers shooting guard said that the team is working on their improvement and will surely do their best for the upcoming season.
“We will do our best and learn from our mistakes,” Pangilinan added.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams, UST Growling Tigers and UST Golden Tigresses, will tip off on Saturday, October 1, against Adamson University at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Thomasian community will roar as they unleash the tigers bringing the phrase “UST will rise as one.”
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