For the first time head coach Alfredo Jarencio joined one of the major summer tournaments in preparation for Season 74 of the UAAP. Perhaps he wanted to showcase his new talents early. For the first time in a long while, the Growling Tigers actually have two new legitimate blue chip recruits. Maybe Jarencio wanted everyone to see them play in person.

6-foot-6 center Karim Abdul was kept well-hidden from prying eyes by the team prior to his coming out party in this summer’s Fil Oil tournament. Abdul is a prime physical specimen, strongly built and well muscled. He also shows some strong moves into the lane or drop stepping to the baseline. If he ever develops a reliable jumpshot and a counter-move he could be unstoppable in the low blocks. He grabs rebounds with alacrity and patrols the paint with purpose. Truly the Growling Tigers have not had a post presence this good since former MVP Jervy Cruz turned pro. Abdul should provide plenty of insurance for the UST perimeter.

Speaking of the perimeter, one of the most important recruits to come out of high school in long while will continue his career with UST: 6-foot-4 forward Kevin Ferrer. Ferrer wanted to try his luck with Ateneo but things there just did not pan out. At least two other big spender schools were trying to get him, but those didn’t work out so well either. So Ferrer, the recent junior division MVP, remains in Espana. Ferrer will bring not only height, length and athletic ability but his incredible outside shooting. The former RP Youth mainstay has great range and a quick trigger making him a tough match. Overplay him and he will drive on you. Under-play him and he will shoot over your head.

Santo Tomas however is not a two-man team. Many returning veterans will give the UAAP title one more shot. 5-foot-7 guard Jeric Fortuna continues to team with 5-foot-9 guard Clark Bautista to provide the hottest shooting perimeter in the entire league. Both are great shooters all the way out to three-point range and do not need much help to get their shots off. Fortuna, though not really a classic pointguard, led the league in assists last season and is a naturally willing passer. Both players should help open things up inside for Abdul and driving lanes for Ferrer.

Also returning is 6-foot-2 swingman Jeric Teng, the former Xavier star. Teng is stronger than most swingmen and can score inside and out. He needs to upgrade his defense though because most of the league’s scorers are playing his position. The underheralded but effective frontline trio of 6-foot-3 Carmelo Afuang, 6-foot-3 Paolo Pe and 6-foot-4 Chris Camus are also back. Afuang has a funky shot and no one takes him seriously as an athlete, but he gets rebounds and is an absolute pest on defense. Camus is in his last year to prove he can be a go-to veteran on a good team. Pe was a vital cog on the Ateneo high school championship teams and takes up plenty of space with his wide frame. If 6-foot-2 swingman Aljon Mariano makes a full comeback then Jarencio will have a pretty solid core that can stay toe-to-toe with the best of the UAAP.

UST high school though may not have enough to return to the junior division finals this year. There is still some talent here but no transcendent star.