2016 UST Growling Tigers basketball team

{{UAAP roster header

| team=UST Growling Tigers

| season=UAAP Season 79

}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=5 |name=Regie Boy Basibas |pos=PF |ft=6 |in=3 |year=2nd |from=Arellano University High School |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=6 |name=Sheak Jamil Sheriff, Jr. | pos=PG |ft=5 |in=9 |year=5th |from=Loyola Catholic Secondary School |nat=CAN}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=7 |name=Jason Strait |pos=PF |ft=6 |in=4 |year=1st |from=Arellano University High School |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=8 |name=Oliver Wendell de Guzman |pos=SG |ft=5 |in=8 |year=1st |from=Nazareth School of National University |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=9 |name=Dean Marvin Lee |pos=SG |ft=5 |in=8 |year=2nd |from=Far Eastern University–Diliman |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=10 |name=Henri Lorenzo Subido |pos=PG |ft=5 |in=9 |year=3rd |from=De La Salle Santiago Zobel School |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=11 |name=Enrique Caunan, Jr. |pos=SF |ft=6 |in=5 |year=2nd |from=Colegio de San Juan de Letran |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=12 |name=Jon Cornelius Macasaet |pos=PF |ft=6 |in=3 |year=2nd |from=San Sebastian College-Recoletos |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=13 |name=Zachary Lance Eden Huang |pos=PF |ft=6 |in=4 |year=2nd |from=Sacred Heart School–Ateneo de Cebu |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=14 |name=Mario Emmanuel Bonleon, Jr. |pos=SG |ft=6 |in=3 |year=2nd|from=La Salle Greenhills |nat=PHI |inj=yes}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=15 |name=Jeepy Faundo |pos=C |ft=6 |in=6 |year=4th |from=José Rizal University |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=16 |name=Justin Arana |pos=PF |ft=6 |in=5 |year=2nd |from=Basud National High School |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=17 |name=William Kwabena Afoakwah |pos=C |ft=6 |in=6 |year=1st |from=Ideal College Senior High School |nat=GHA}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=18 |name=Louie Philippe Vigil |pos=SG |ft=6 |in=3 |year=5th |from=José Rizal University |note=C |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=19 |name=Kent Jefferson Lao |pos=SF |ft=6 |in=4 |year=5th |from=Saint Stephen's High School |nat=PHI}}

{{UAAPplayer |num=20 |name=Tsutomu Tateishi |pos=C |ft=6 |in=9 |year=1st |from=Ateneo de Davao University |nat=JPN}}

{{basketball roster footer

| head_coach={{player||PHI|Rodil Sablan}}

| asst_coach=

• Tylon Filipe Dar Juan
• Juben Ledesma
• Ma. Genevieve Francisco
• Patrick Roy Fran
• Julian Rabbi Tomacruz

| team_man=

| str_cond=

• John Oswald Aquino
• Kris Anthony Agarao

| roster_url=http://stats.humblebola.com/uaap/teams/17-UST-Growling-Tigers?tournament_id=23

}}

{{Basketball depth chart

| college_team_name = UST Growling Tigers

| starter_c = Afoakwah

| starter_pf = Huang

| starter_sf = Lao

| starter_sg = Vigil

| starter_pg = Sheriff

| bench 1_c = Faundo

| bench 1_pf = Macasaet

| bench 1_sf = Caunan

| bench 1_sg = Lee

| bench 1_pg = Subido

| bench 2_c = Tateishi

| bench 2_pf = Arana

| bench 2_sf = Strait

| bench 2_sg = Basibas

| bench 2_pg = De Guzman

}}

Boy Sablan replaced Bong dela Cruz as the Tigers' head coach following controversies surrounding the latter. Almost two months after falling short of winning the championship against the FEU Tamaraws in Season 78's Finals series, Dela Cruz became the subject of an administrative investigation stemming from complaints of physical and verbal abuse that he allegedly made against some of the players in the roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-men/ust-growling-tigers-bong-dela-cruz-investigation |title=UST source details maltreatment, violence allegedly committed by coach Bong Dela Cruz against players |website=SPIN.ph |author=Terrado, Reuben |access-date=28 Jan 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/university/uaap/ust/120817-background-growling-tigers-coach-bong-dela-cruz |title=What we know about UST head coach Bong Dela Cruz |website=Rappler |access-date=30 Jan 2016}}

Short of calling it a preventive suspension, the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) has ordered the coach to recuse himself from team activities until a decision on his tenure was reached based on would-be findings from the investigations. As a result, Dela Cruz stopped attending team practices beginning January 25, 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/university/uaap/ust/120567-bong-dela-cruz-under-probe |title=UST coach Bong Dela Cruz under probe |website=Rappler |author=Ganglani, Naveen |access-date=28 Jan 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2016/01/26/no-bong-dela-cruz-ust-growling-tigers-practice-8252 |title=No Bong dela Cruz in UST Growling Tigers practice |website=ABS-CBN Sports |access-date=26 Jan 2016 |archive-date=28 Jan 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128105806/http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2016/01/26/no-bong-dela-cruz-ust-growling-tigers-practice-8252 |url-status=dead}}

Rumors surfaced that former Growling Tiger Bal David was among those who were being considered to replace Dela Cruz, but eventually, it was Sablan who was selected to be the new coach in late May where he signed a one-year contract for the upcoming Season 79 basketball tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-men/bong-dela-cruz-on-his-way-out-as-ust-coach-bal-david-among-top-candidates-for-job |title=Bong Dela Cruz on way out as UST coach, Bal David among top candidates, say sources |website=SPIN.ph |author=Terrado, Reuben |access-date=23 Jan 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/01/16/ust-names-sablan-as-new-coach-of-growling-tigers |title=UST names Sablan as new coach of Growling Tigers |website=ABS-CBN Sports |access-date=1 Jun 2016}}

Sablan was a Glowing Goldies teammate of former coach Pido Jarencio in the 1980s and also served as one of his deputies from 2006 until 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/university/uaap/ust/145149-no-stars-only-role-players-ust-tigers-uaap-season-79 |title=No stars; only role players, unselfish play for UST in UAAP 79 |website=Rappler |author=Bracher, Jane |access-date=4 Sep 2016}}

Appointed as Sablan's deputies were Tylon Dar Juan, Bam Ledesma, Gina Francisco, Patrick Fran, Rabbi Tomacruz, John Aquino, and Kris Anthony Agarao.

• Dar Juan was the coach of the Arellano Braves in the NCAA. He was also a member of the coaching staff of the Blackwater Elite team in the PBA alongside Sablan.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2016/07/18/coach-darjuan-s-pba-dream-lives-braves-13442 |title=Coach Darjuan's PBA dream lives on through his Braves |website=ABS-CBN Sports |author=Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin |access-date=18 Jul 2016 |archive-date=14 Jul 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714100806/http://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2016/07/18/coach-darjuan-s-pba-dream-lives-braves-13442 |url-status=dead}}
• Ledesma was a member of the coaching staff of the Tigresses basketball team.
• Francisco was UST's team captain of the women's basketball team in the 1980s and has been a long-time assistant coach of the men's basketball team.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.inquirer.net/147825/usts-francisco-joins-us-program |title=UST's Francisco joins US program |website=Philippine Daily Inquirer |author=Payo, Jasmine |access-date=16 Mar 2014}}
• Fran, a former Growling Tiger and PBA player, was as a member of the coaching staff at the Meralco Bolts in the PBA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-men/patrick-fran-returns-to-alma-mater-as-ust-assistant-coach |title=Former UST guard Patrick Fran embraces opportunity to give back to yellow and gold |website=SPIN.ph |author=Terrado, Reuben |access-date=13 Sep 2016}}
• Tomacruz, who was also a former Glowing Goldie and PBA player also served as Jarencio's assistant coach.
• Aquino has been the strength and conditioning coach of the Meralco Bolts in the PBA since 2010.
• Agarao has been the strength and conditioning coach of the Growling Tigers since 2012.

Before the start of the season, the UAAP came out with a new ruling that would lower the age limit of student-athletes from the previously accepted 25 years to 24 years. This would mean that two of the three graduating Growling Tigers would be considered over aged for the upcoming UAAP tournament. Team captain Louie Vigil, Fil-Canadian point guard Jon Sheriff and forward Kent Lao were on their final playing year in the Tigers roster, but only Vigil and Sheriff would be affected by the new rule. Sheriff turned 25 on July 31, while Vigil would be the same age on September 26.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.inquirer.net/213575/new-ust-coach-sablan-grapples-with-ineligibility-of-vigil-sheriff |title=New UST coach Sablan grapples with ineligibility of Vigil, Sheriff |website=Philippine Daily Inquirer |author=Leongson, Randolph |access-date=1 Jun 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://varsitarian.net/sports/sports/20160901/age_limit_bars_sheriff_from_growling_tigers_uaap_roster |title=Age limit bars Sheriff from Growling Tigers’ UAAP roster |website=The Varsitarian |author=Matel, Philip Martin |author2=Villanueva, Ralph Edwin |access-date=1 Sep 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://sports.inquirer.net/213701/vigil-frustrated-over-ineligibility-as-ust-left-without-veteran-leader |title=Vigil frustrated over ineligibility as UST left without veteran leader |website=Philippine Daily Inquirer |author=Leongson, Randolph |access-date=3 Jun 2016}}

Vigil was already considering signing up for the PBA rookie draft in October when the UAAP decided to defer implementation of the said rule. Protests lodged by concerned schools and affected athletes were instrumental in the reversion of the age eligibility rules. This was announced after the UAAP board of trustees convened in their annual planning session in Spain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/basketball/345636/louie-vigil-eyes-pba-jump-uaap-lowers-age-limit |title=Louie Vigil eyes PBA jump after UAAP lowers age limit |website=Fox Sports Asia |author=Lagunzad, Jerome |access-date=2 Jun 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-men/uaap-reverts-back-to-old-rule-on-age-limit |title=UAAP backs out of plan to lower age limit, maintains scrapping of 'seven year window' |website=SPIN.ph |author=Terrado, Reuben |access-date=4 Jun 2016}}

Mario Bonleon suffered a season-ending wrist injury during their September 14 game against La Salle in the first round of eliminations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/university/uaap/ust/146366-ust-embons-bonleon-injury-surgery-out|title=UST's Embons Bonleon to undergo surgery, out 6-8 months|website=Rappler |author=Ganglani, Naveen |access-date=15 Sep 2016}}

{{CBB game log start|UST Growling Tigers|season=Preseason}}

{{CBB game log section header|UST Growling Tigers|2016 Got Skills U25 Summer Showcase|format=compact|team_wins=2|team_losses=2|show_rank=no|color_secondary=no|first=yes}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=1 |date=Apr 19 |time= |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|NU}} |site_stadium=Enderun Colleges Gym, Taguig |record=0–1 |score=49–56 |highscorer=Vigil |points=18 |highrebounder= |rebounds= |highassister= |assists=}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=2 |date=Apr 27 |time= |rank=no |opponent=Enderun Colleges Titans |site_stadium=Enderun Colleges Gym, Taguig |record=0–2 |score=53–60 |highscorer=Lao |points=12 |highrebounder= |rebounds= |highassister= |assists=}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=3 |date=May 12 |time= |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|Lyceum}} |site_stadium=Enderun Colleges Gym, Taguig |record=1–2 |score=62–33 |highscorer=Lee |points=14 |highrebounder= |rebounds= |highassister= |assists=}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=4 |date=May 14 |time= |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|FEU}} |site_stadium=Enderun Colleges Gym, Taguig |record=2–2 |score=50–42 |highscorer=Subido |points=13 |highrebounder= |rebounds= |highassister= |assists=}}

{{CBB game log section header|UST Growling Tigers|1st Recoletos de Cebu Invitational Cup|format=compact|team_wins=3|team_losses=1|color_secondary=no|show_rank=no}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=1 |date=Jul 14 |time=2:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=USJ–R Jaguars |site_stadium=Recoletos Coliseum–Basak, Cebu City |record=1–0 |score=73–60 |highscorer=Vigil |points=12 |highrebounder= |rebounds= |highassister= |assists=}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=2 |date=Jul 15 |time=2:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=UV Green Lancers |site_stadium=Recoletos Coliseum–Basak, Cebu City |record=2–0 |score=84–48 |highscorer=Bonleon |points=15 |highrebounder= |rebounds= |highassister= |assists=}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=3 |date=Jul 16 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=USC Warriors |site_stadium=Recoletos Coliseum–Basak, Cebu City |record=3–0 |score=63–58 |highscorer=Subido |points=10 |highrebounder= |rebounds= |highassister= |assists=}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=3 |date=Jul 17 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=USJ–R Jaguars |site_stadium=Recoletos Coliseum–Basak, Cebu City |record=3–1 |score=86–89 |highscorer=Vigil |points=20 |highrebounder= |rebounds= |highassister= |assists= |gamename=Championship game}}

{{CBB game log section header|UST Growling Tigers|Buddha Light International Association Cup|format=compact|team_wins=0|team_losses=3|color_secondary=no|show_rank=no}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=1 |date=Aug 17 |time= |rank=no |opponent=Hsing Wu University |site_stadium=Kaohsiung Arena
Taiwan |record=0–1 |status=l}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=2 |date=Aug 18 |time= |rank=no |opponent=University of Tsukuba |site_stadium=Kaohsiung Arena
Taiwan |record=0–2 |status=l}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=3 |date=Aug 19 |time= |rank=no |opponent=McMaster Marauders |site_stadium=Kaohsiung Arena
Taiwan |record=0–3 |score=70–93 |highscorer= |points= |highrebounder= |rebounds= |highassister= |assists=}}

{{CBB game log end |hide_nonconf=yes|rank=no|timezone=UTC+08:00}}

{{further|UAAP Season 79 basketball tournaments}}

Elimination games were played in a double round-robin format and all of UST's games were televised on ABS-CBN Sports and Action and Balls.

{{CBB game log start|UST Growling Tigers|season=UAAP Season 79}}

{{CBB game log section header|UST Growling Tigers|Elimination round|format=compact|team_wins=3|team_losses=11|show_rank=no|color_secondary=no|first=yes}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=1 |date=Sep 4 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|ADMU}} |site_stadium=Smart Araneta Coliseum
Quezon City |record=0–1 |score=69–73 |highscorer=Vigil |points=21 |highrebounder=Tied |rebounds=9 |highassister=Subido |assists=6}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=2 |date=Sep 10 |time=2:00 pm |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|UE}} |site_stadium=Smart Araneta Coliseum
Quezon City |record=1–1 |score=88–87 |highscorer=Subido |points=26 |highrebounder=Macasaet |rebounds=10 |highassister=Sheriff |assists=4}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=3 |date=Sep 14 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|DLSU}} |site_stadium=Mall of Asia Arena
Pasay |record=1–2 |score=62–100 |highscorer=Subido |points=18 |highrebounder=Afoakwah |rebounds=10 |highassister=Subido |assists=4}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=4 |date=Sep 17 |time=2:00 pm |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|UP}} |site_stadium=Smart Araneta Coliseum
Quezon City |record=2–2 |score=83–77 |highscorer=Vigil |points=18 |highrebounder=Faundo |rebounds=9 |highassister=Vigil |assists=7}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=5 |date=Sep 25 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|NU}} |site_stadium=Mall of Asia Arena
Pasay |record=2–3 |score=68–75 |highscorer=Sheriff |points=16 |highrebounder=Afoakwah |rebounds=15 |highassister=Tied |assists=2}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=6 |date=Oct 1 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|FEU}} |site_stadium=Mall of Asia Arena
Pasay |record=2–4 |score=72–79 |highscorer=Vigil |points=16 |highrebounder=Basibas |rebounds=8 |highassister=Lee |assists=5}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=7 |date=Oct 5 |time=2:00 pm |rank=no |opponent={{UAAPteam-noicon|Adamson}} |site_stadium=Mall of Asia Arena
Pasay |record=2–5 |score=52–79 |highscorer=Lao |points=13 |highrebounder=Afoakwah |rebounds=12 |highassister=Tied |assists=3 |gamename=End of R1 of eliminations}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=8 |date=Oct 8 |time=2:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=UE Red Warriors |site_stadium=Mall of Asia Arena
Pasay |record=2–6 |score=61–71 |highscorer=Vigil |points=21 |highrebounder=Afoakwah |rebounds=21 |highassister=Sheriff |assists=4}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=9 |date=Oct 12 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=FEU Tamaraws |site_stadium=Mall of Asia Arena
Pasay |record=2–7 |score=48–59 |highscorer=Vigil |points=18 |highrebounder=Faundo |rebounds=17 |highassister=Tied |assists=2}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=10 |date=Oct 15 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=NU Bulldogs |site_stadium=Smart Araneta Coliseum
Quezon City |record=3–7 |score=73–69 |highscorer=Lee |points=22 |highrebounder=Afoakwah |rebounds=13 |highassister=Vigil |assists=5}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=11 |date=Oct 23 |time=2:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=De La Salle Green Archers |site_stadium=Smart Araneta Coliseum
Quezon City |record=3–8 |score=56–99 |highscorer=Vigil |points=18 |highrebounder=Afoakwah |rebounds=11 |highassister=Vigil |assists=3}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=12 |date=Nov 6 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=UP Fighting Maroons |site_stadium=Filoil Flying V Centre
San Juan |record=3–9 |score=69–74 |highscorer=Vigil |points=16 |highrebounder=Faundo |rebounds=14 |highassister=Sheriff |assists=4}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=13 |date=Nov 9 |time=4:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=Adamson Soaring Falcons |site_stadium=Mall of Asia Arena
Pasay |record=3–10 |score=61–76 |highscorer=Sheriff |points=13 |highrebounder=Faundo |rebounds=9 |highassister=Tied |assists=2}}

{{CBB game log section entry |game=14 |date=Nov 12 |time=2:00 pm |rank=no |opponent=Ateneo Blue Eagles |site_stadium=Mall of Asia Arena
Pasay |record=3–11 |score=64–74 |highscorer=Vigil |points=14 |highrebounder=Tied |rebounds=7 |highassister=Lee |assists=5 |gamename=End of R2 of eliminations}}

{{CBB game log end |hide_nonconf=yes|rank=no|timezone=UTC+08:00|notes=Source: [http://stats.humblebola.com/uaap/teams/17-UST-Growling-Tigers/schedule?tournament_id=23 HumbleBola]{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}}}

{{UAAP roster statistics legend}}

;The future

Reeling from one of their worst finishes in the UAAP, the UST faithful were eagerly awaiting Steve Akomo's completion of his residency so that he can finally suit up for the Tigers and lead them back to their winning ways. The Cameroonian center has proven to be a reliable reinforcement when he led the University of the Visayas to the CESAFI Finals in 2012 against Ben Mbala who was then playing for Southwestern University.

During the Adamson–UST postgame interview at the MOA Arena last November 9, UST Coach Boy Sablan introduced Akomo to the press as the go-to guy for the Tigers alongside Joco Macasaet, Zach Huang and Regie Boy Basibas in their UAAP campaign for the next season. Macasaet, Huang, and Basibas, who were all in their second playing year, started the game for UST against the Falcons, while the veteran group of Louie Vigil, Kent Lao, Marvin Lee and Renzo Subido were benched, allegedly for disciplinary reasons. Sablan justified the action by saying that he was giving the fans a preview of the Tigers' future brand of basketball, in reference to the trio and Akomo.{{Cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/10/16/touted-as-the-future-steve-akomo-vows-to-do-best-for-ust |title=Touted as 'the future,' Steve Akomo vows to do best for UST |website=ABS-CBN Sports |author=Naredo, Camille |access-date=11 Nov 2016}}

;The past

Former head coach Pido Jarencio, who gave the Tigers the 2006 UAAP title and a back-to-back Finals appearances in 2012 and 2013 had indirectly given the UST community a glimmer of hope when he sent out a controversial tweet from his social media account on December 6. The message reads, "I am just a call away," and a follow-up tweet had Jarencio exclaiming, "let's bring back the glory!"

Fans were quick to attribute his messages to the dismal performance of the team in the tournament, which was quite the opposite of their Finals run the previous year. Jarencio later confirmed in interviews that he was actually willing to come back to coach the team on two conditions, "if the position for head coach became vacant and if the management," and "if the UST community wanted him back." Jarencio resigned as UST's head coach in January 2014 in exchange for a coaching job in the PBA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/university/uaap/ust/156286-pido-jarencio-open-ust-coaching-return-if-called |title=Jarencio open to UST coaching return if called upon |website=Rappler |author=Bracher, Jane |access-date=22 Dec 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/philippines/48979-end-of-an-era-pido-jarencio-leaves-ust-moves-to-globalport |title=End of an era: Pido Jarencio leaves UST, moves to Globalport |website=Rappler |author=Bracher, Jane |access-date=27 Jan 2014}}

;Departure of key players

On May 4, Renzo Subido announced on Twitter his plan to skip the upcoming Season 80 tournament. He explained how he was dissatisfied with the way that he has played during the course of his three-year college career. He also added that he planned to join the PBA D-League where he was hoping to improve his skills. A week later, Mario Bonleon made a similar tweet about taking time off from the team. On May 11, he had cited experiencing burnout as one of the reasons for wanting to leave the team. He also expressed his intention to join a D-League team during his time away from the Tigers.{{Cite web|url=http://varsitarian.net/sports/basketball/20170505/subido-to-miss-next-uaap |title=Subido to miss next UAAP |website=The Varsitarian |author=Suing, Ivan Ruiz |author2=Anolin, Jan Carlo |access-date=5 May 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://varsitarian.net/sports/basketball/20170511/bonleon-to-miss-next-uaap-cites-burnout |title=Bonleon to miss next UAAP, cites 'burnout' |website=The Varsitarian |author=Suing, Ivan Ruiz |access-date=11 May 2017}}

;Rumored dissatisfaction with the coach

The Growling Tigers joined the 2017 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup in the summer, but failed to make it past the elimination round compiling only a single win against seven losses. This was highlighted by a 39-point loss to the Lyceum Pirates. Because of the Tigers' poor showing, various reports began to circulate about some players' growing dissatisfaction with their head coach, which resulted to speculations that Sablan was on his way out as the team's chief tactician.{{Cite web|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/growling-tigers-defend-ust-head-coach-from-rumors/87145 |title=Growling Tigers defend UST head coach from 'rumors' |website=Tiebreaker Times |author=Li, Matthew Henry |access-date=4 Jun 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://varsitarian.net/sports/news/20170613/tigers-coach-on-his-way-out |title=Tigers coach on his way out? |website=The Varsitarian |author=Suing, Ivan Ruiz |access-date=13 Jun 2017}}

Sablan, whose one-year contract expired on May 31, 2017, denied rumors of his replacement, pointing out that there was not much time left for a new coach to prepare the team in time for the September 9 tournament opening. Dar Juan and incoming team captain Marvin Lee have also come out to Sablan's defense. Lee denied the report that some of his teammates wanted to leave the team by explaining that the players were given permission by the coaching staff to go on leave. He was referring to Regie Boy Basibas, Zach Huang, and Joco Macasaet who were all absent during the game against the San Beda Red Lions. Dar Juan, on the other hand told reporters that Sablan was not in physical shape to coach the team after going through surgery, but added that the head coach was actually present during the May 21 game against the Letran Knights. Sablan had undergone surgery on his gallbladder on May 15 and was unable to coach the team during the tournament. Assistant coaches Tylon Dar Juan and Bam Ledesma took over practices and coaching duties.{{Cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/06/01/1705722/crisis-espana-more-players-mull-leaving-ust-tigers |title=Crisis in Espana? More players mull leaving UST Tigers |website=The Philippine Star |access-date=1 Jun 2017}}{{Cite web |url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2017/06/04/team-captain-lee-says-tigers-issues-coach-boy-26900 |title=Team captain Lee says Tigers have no issues with coach Sablan |website=ABS-CBN Sports |author=Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin |access-date=4 Jun 2017 |archive-date=10 Jun 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610082732/http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2017/06/04/team-captain-lee-says-tigers-issues-coach-boy-26900 |url-status=dead}}

According to a tweet from former Varsitarian sports editor Alex Cerado on June 20, Sablan's contract has been renewed for another year.

Louie Vigil was picked 17th overall in the second round of the 2017 PBA draft by the Leo Austria-led San Miguel Beermen on October 29, 2017. Kent Lao, meanwhile applied for the draft the following year and was selected in the third round by the Caloy Garcia-coached Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as the 30th overall pick in the 2018 PBA draft on December 16, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.inquirer.net/270514/san-miguel-beermen-christian-standhardinger-top-pick-2017-pba-rookie-draft |title=Beermen make Standhardinger top pick in 2017 PBA Draft |website=Philippine Daily Inquirer |author=Leongson, Randolph |access-date=29 Oct 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/basketball/678386/the-2018-pba-rookie-draft-picks |title=The 2018 PBA Rookie Draft picks |website=GMA News Online |author=Carandang, Justin Kenneth |access-date=16 Dec 2018}}

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