University of Santo Tomas is fully embracing its role of being an underdog when it faces heavy favorite University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 Final Four.

After a five-year playoff drought, the Growling Tigers were able to catch the semifinal bus after finishing the elimination round with a 7-7 win-loss record, edging out the Adamson Soaring Falcons on their way to a twice-to-win showdown against the Fighting Maroons.

For veteran coach Pido Jarencio, who is steering the Espana-based squad in its rebuilding program since returning to the post last year, he vowed to give it all against the State U.

“Basta kami after this. We're here in the playoffs, trabaho na ulit, gawa tayo ng gameplan kung pa’no talunin ang UP,” said Jarencio.

“Parang ‘David and Goliath’ ‘yan, medyo maganda ‘tong labanan na ‘to,” he added. “Basta kami laban lang kami, prepared lang kami… importante healthy kaming lahat.”

In their two preliminary matchups, UP stamped its class courtesy of an 81-70 win in the first round and an equally convincing 83-73 victory last month.

In those results, the Tigers actually had good starts before faltering in the end.

Forthsy Padrigao and Nic Cabañero are expected to carry the offensive load for UST as they battle local stars Gerry Abadiano, JD Cagulangan and Francis Lopez.

“Mas mahihirap na ‘yong mga laro namin from now on… UP na naman eh, mahirap talunin ng dalawang beses ‘yon, kailangan talaga naming paghandaan ‘yon,” said Padrigao.

“We’re going to be prepared, but we need to have the right mentality. Like what coach Pido said, we can write our own story,” Cabañero added.

The semifinal schedule is yet to be announced but it is expected to fire off later this month.

On the other hand, UE (6-8) and Adamson (5-8) are still vying for the last Final Four ticket and the right to face the top-seed La Salle Green Archers.