I have watched several volleyball games and a basketball game where UP was up against UST and their fans are really united in cheering and supporting their team.
I had the chance to watch the first round game of UP versus UST last month and their crowd didn't disappoint. They were greater in number compared to us, the UP crowd but we really tried our best to keep up to their cheers. Fortunately for us, Paul Desiderio gave us the win with his now infamous line "Atin 'to, papasok to" and the game winning 3 point shot.
From there, UST piled up losses after losses - making this one of their worst season in UAAP history. Last October 25, UST lost their 11th straight game this season. After the game, as customary, they sang their school hymn to an almost empty UST side of the arena. But there is this only one student clad in UST uniform singing with them. This picture as posted in Twitter has become viral ever since:
— I.J. (@ColomaIsaacJeff) October 27, 2017
This guy was later named as Isaac Coloma, a graduating student making the most of his last year in UST by supporting the Tigers in as many games as he can watch, Players from the team such as Jordan Sta. Ana and Steve Akomo praised him for his support to the team despite their losing streak. Akomo even gave a free ticket to Coloma in their game against DLSU last weekend. The Alumni office also gave him free tickets to all the volleyball games next year.
So where is the UST crowd? The crowd that we always envy. The crowd that is always loud and proud to support the Growling Tigers?
In several tweets that I have seen (one is now deleted as of the time of posting), the UST crowd's non-appearance in the games is their protest against the continuing coaching of their head coach Boy Sablan. The crowd will only watch the games again if Sablan will be sacked or will resign.
Is this fair to Coach Boy Sablan? Definitely not. Coach Boy is making the most of what he has in his line up. They are pegged as one of the team that might pull out surprise win before the season started yet they have not impressed except for some close calls especially on their first UP game. Several players also opted to sit out this season to further improve their skills and come back next season. Notably in this bunch is Renz Subido who is a key cog in last season's team. Embons Bonleon almost transferred to Arellano.
But I get the point of the UST community, they need effective game plans, they need effective coaching and more importantly - they need to see results in form of wins. If Sablan will be sacked, it will be up to the management and clamour of the community must always be considered.
Is this fair to the players? Defintely not. The players are student athletes. They are balancing their studies, trainings, games and personal lives to represent their school. Do we only support them when they win games? Do we abondon them when they lose games? Of course not. The lyrics of the song Welcome to my Life of Simple Plan simply puts it into perspective:
To be hurt, to feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one there to save you
The players are definitely in their lowest morale right now with no win to boast of and not seeing any supporters watching their games is really a big blow to the low morale and making it lower. It in now that they need your support, your presence and your cheers. They need you - UST community.
The UP community is very much familiar with what the UST community is experiencing. We have been considered the team we can beat for so long. Remember Season 76 where we ended the season winless? The only difference is that we never abandoned the players. Even though the numbers dwindled, it never came to a point where the UP side is as empty as this. Remember our infamous bonfire in Season 77? Yes, in that season, we ended a 27 game losing streak. It is nothing to be proud of. We ended the season with a single win. Yet for us, that single win symbolizes a start of change - a new beginning. We have improved every single season after that but we are still in our quest for that elusive final four slot.
What I am pointing out here is that we should support our players win or lose. Winning games is not just about the players and the coaches. There is so many factors coming into the equation - training, academics, and yes - crowd support. The so called 6th man of the game is always important. It provides an added boost when the team is down and can do wonders to the team. The crowd should be there win or lose. We don't abandon the team, we don't leave in the middle of the fight. After all, they are representing not just their team but the whole school and the community.
I have seen some campaign in social media for the community to show up full force in the Tiger's last game on November 12 against UE. I really hope the UST community answers to this call. Let Isaac Coloma serve as an inspiration that they are behind their players back win or lose. They are already out of contention for the Final Four but let this be their preparation for Season 81. Give the players a good last game and hope that momentum will carry them to a better season next year,
So where is the UST crowd? They are still watching, they are waiting. But I hope they show up on November 12. You can do this UST community! We will be cheering for you, we always cheer for the underdogs - Go USTe!
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