The UST Growling Tigers came within one possession of AsiaBasket's 2026 NSAC World Invitational title, falling to the Fighting Eagles Nagoya, 92-91, on Sunday, August 16, at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Francis Lopez, who was named the tournament's Finals MVP, erupted for 22 points and seven rebounds to lead Nagoya past UST, which is building a promising core heading into UAAP Season 89.
While Nagoya got the trophy, UST delivered a statement.
The Tigers showed they can hang with one of the more promising teams in Japan's B.League, coming within one possession of the title.
UST now looks like more than just a dark horse in Season 89. With a lengthy lineup filled with versatile, Swiss Army knife-type players, the Tigers showed enough to suggest they could be legitimate championship contenders.
The Tigers moved the ball better than ever and generated more offense through off-ball movement, a fresh look after the Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao era. Both players were talented enough to serve as the engines of UST's offense over the past two seasons.
Against Nagoya, the Tigers produced 20 assists and shot 60% (34-of-56) from the field, including 11-of-23 from the three-point range. If not for their free-throw woes, as they went 12-of-25 from the stripe, UST might have added another piece of hardware to its non-UAAP collection.
A more free-flowing approach offset UST's lack of a dominant one-on-one creator and defense-breaker like Cabañero, who, alongside former co-captain Padrigao, could create offense and break down defenses on his own.
The Tigers are also leaning into strength and length while maintaining the high-tempo offense they established over the past two seasons.
They have long combo guards and forwards across the roster, complemented by a dominant interior presence in Collins Akowe, who was named the Asiabasket NSAC MVP.
Mur Alao, Kirk Cañete and one-and-done guard Donovan Sevilla are expected to shoulder much of the point guard duties, particularly in pressure-packed situations.
Mark Llemit and Ammiel Acido have also shown they can be reliable primary options when called upon. Landyn Jumawan, meanwhile, is already turning heads after scoring 20 points on five three-pointers against Nagoya.
And don't forget Gelo Crisostomo, who is entering his fourth year and could provide another steady option when Season 89 begins.
UST also has potential reinforcements off the bench in Kris Porter, Koji Buenaflor, Ivanne Calum and Charles Bucsit, among others.
In the NSAC, the Growling Tigers took down Tenri University of Japan and the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup champions, in double overtime to reach the championship game.
The Tigers are fresh from a training camp in Japan, where they tested themselves against university teams while building chemistry ahead of the UAAP season.
The loss to Nagoya may have denied UST from taking home the coveted hardware, but it gave the Tigers something equally important in the offseason: belief.
Against Nagoya, they showed they can go toe-to-toe with professional opposition, providing a good barometer for what is to come in the UAAP.
After the NSAC tournament, the Tigers have plenty of optimism to carry forward. The UAAP will be a different beast, but UST is already making a compelling case that it belongs in the championship conversation.