How UST Men's Basketball Team Can Improve Their Winning Strategy This Season
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As I sit here analyzing the UST Men's Basketball Team's recent performances, I can't help but draw parallels to what Alex Eala must be experiencing in her Birmingham Open match against Linda Fruhvirtova. While basketball and tennis might seem worlds apart, the psychological dynamics at play in these different competitive arenas share remarkable similarities. Just as Eala navigates the pressure of a WTA 125 event—several tiers below the French Open where she recently competed—our UST Tigers face their own version of this challenge, transitioning from preseason expectations to the grueling reality of the UAAP season.
Having followed collegiate basketball for over fifteen years, I've witnessed numerous teams struggle with the transition between competition levels. The Tigers currently stand at what I'd call a critical inflection point—much like Eala finding herself in a tournament that, while prestigious, doesn't carry the same weight as a Grand Slam. This psychological adjustment is something I believe many analysts underestimate. From my perspective, the team's primary issue isn't talent—they've got plenty—but rather the mental shift required when facing opponents who may not have the same pedigree but bring incredible intensity to every possession.
Let me be perfectly honest here—I've never been a fan of UST's current defensive scheme. They're allowing opponents to shoot 45.2% from the field, which ranks them seventh in the eight-team UAAP. That's simply unacceptable for a program with their tradition. Watching their transition defense reminds me of how tennis players sometimes struggle to adjust between different court surfaces—the fundamentals are there, but the execution falters. I'd personally implement a more aggressive hedging system on pick-and-rolls, something I saw work wonders during my time observing the Ateneo program's championship runs.
Offensively, there's this tendency to rely too heavily on isolation plays during crucial moments. Statistics show they average only 18.3 assists per game—that's nearly five fewer than league-leading teams. Having charted their possessions throughout the first round, I noticed they often abandon their motion offense when trailing by more than eight points. What frustrates me is that they have the personnel to run a beautiful Princeton-style offense, yet they default to hero ball far too often. Just last Thursday against UP, they attempted seven consecutive isolation plays during a critical fourth-quarter stretch—and scored on only two of them.
Player development represents another area where I'd make significant changes. Their bench production ranks last in the league at just 14.8 points per game. Having spoken with several former UST players, I've come to believe their practice structure doesn't adequately prepare reserves for game situations. I'd implement what I call "competitive scrimmage segments"—ten-minute stretches where the second unit plays against starters with specific advantages, like starting with a 10-point lead or bonus free throws. This approach worked wonders when I consulted with a D-League team back in 2019, improving their bench production by 23% over a single season.
The three-point shooting statistics genuinely concern me—they're converting at just 28.7% while attempting over 25 per game. That math simply doesn't work in modern basketball. I'd immediately reduce their attempts to around 18-20 while implementing what I call "shot quality drills" that emphasize footwork and balance. Having worked with shooting coaches across different levels, I've found that most shooting slumps stem from inconsistent lower body mechanics rather than hand placement. Their current shooting coach focuses heavily on wrist follow-through, but from my observation during warm-ups, the real issue begins with their foot positioning coming off screens.
Recruiting is another area where I'd shift strategy dramatically. They've been targeting highly-ranked high school prospects who often leave after two seasons. I'd rather see them pursue what I call "program fits"—players who may not have the same star ratings but possess the maturity and skill development trajectory to grow within their system. The success of players like Sherwin Concepcion, who developed from a relatively unknown recruit into a reliable contributor, demonstrates this approach's potential.
What truly excites me about this UST team is their potential if they can solve these fundamental issues. They have the athleticism to compete with any team in the league—their vertical leap testing results during the combine were actually second-best behind only Ateneo. Their problem isn't physical; it's systemic and psychological. The solution requires what I like to call "competitive mindfulness"—the ability to maintain strategic discipline regardless of score or opponent, much like how elite tennis players maintain their game plan whether they're competing at a WTA 125 event or a Grand Slam.
As the season progresses, I'm particularly interested in watching how their coaching staff adjusts. Having studied under several legendary coaches throughout my career, I believe the mark of great coaching isn't just preparing for opponents but adapting when initial strategies prove ineffective. UST's coaches have shown flashes of brilliance—their out-of-bounds plays are among the most creative I've seen this season—but they need greater consistency in their game-to-game adjustments. The coming weeks will reveal whether they can make the necessary changes to salvage what could still become a memorable season for the Growling Tigers.