Forthsky Padrigao and the UST Growling Tigers are off to a strong start in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
Winning its first two games certainly has its perks and University of Santo Tomas is enjoying those.
For one, the Growling Tigers' 2-0 start in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive already solidifies the hype given to the España-based side, especially after their Final Four run in the UAAP last season.
But of course, this also comes with pressure -- with many viewing UST as a legitimate title contender this year.
Forthsky Padrigao though, isn't one to believe in those chatter, noting that there's still a lot of work to be done for the Growling Tigers to be viewed in the same light as the UPs and the La Salles of the league.
"Work-in-progress pa rin kami. Alam namin na malayo pa yung tatahakin namin so we just want to continue putting in the work," he said after UST's 69-62 win over Adamson last week.
Now, the Growling Tigers will stake their immaculate slate against Far Eastern University (1-0) on Monday at 4:00 p.m. with a chance to seize early leadership in the UAAP Group of the premier preseason league which has PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas as major sponsors, and Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger as minor sponsors.
Achieving that, however, isn't gonna be easy all the more with the Tamaraws also posing to be a credible threat behind veteran Jorick Bautista, as seen in their 74-57 whipping of University of the East last May 22.
College of St. Benilde (3-0), on the other hand, wants to reinforce its standing atop the NCAA Group as it takes on Jose Rizal University (1-0) at 12:00 p.m.
The Blazers are still untouchable after their 92-72 rout of Perpetual last May 26 and would love to keep that up against the Heavy Bombers.
JRU, though, is still riding high after a breakout performance from rookie Sanlea Peñaverde led it to a 70-59 escape of San Sebastian last week to reward new coach Nani Epondulan his first at the helm.
Letran is also eyeing win no. 3 when it plays defending NCAA champion Mapua (1-1) at 2:00 p.m.
Jun Roque was stellar in the Knights' 89-69 blowout of LPU last week and would want to sustain it against Clint Escamis and the Cardinals.