"UST Growling Tigers has a fighting chance to make the Final 4," former UST player Senator Joel Villanueva says

Confident and proud. That is how former UST Growling Tigers player and incumbent Senator Joel Villanueva predicted that the team will surely be included in UAAP's Final 4.

During his visit at his alma mater University of Sto. Tomas on Tuesday, Senator Villanueva spent his time boosting the morale of the new generation of UST Growling Tigers, the university's varsity basketball team where he became part of during his college days.

"I shared with them some of my insights and views. One is to always realize that there's so much responsibility in putting up that yellow jersey, the Tigers jersey. When you had it on to your chest, it should remind you of so many responsibilities--that you're not only representing yourself, not even the entire community, but the characteristics of being a Thomasian or being a Tiger," Villanueva said.

He further shared his personal experience as a Growling Tiger back in 1994 when De La Salle Green Archers almost stole them the UAAP Championship with UST Growling Tigers beating the former with only one point during the Finals Game.

Villanueva was part of the UST Growling Tigers that won the UAAP Season 56 and 57 of 1994-1995. He was also part of the Philippines national basketball team that competed in international basketball competitions in Taiwan and Malaysia in 1995.

"Every time I'm being asked by anybody--either a member of the Senate or even the President of this country, when we talk about the UAAP I would always say that the Tigers will make it. They will be on the top. I have no doubts. When you have a Tiger blood in you, you have no doubt that you can make it all the way," Villanueva said.