2006 UST Growling Tigers Men's Basketball Team - Aftermath

Aftermath

The celebrations at the campus began at the moment of UST's victory on October 2. The main celebrations were held on October 4, started by a thanksgiving holy mass at 5 pm, celebrated by incoming Fr. Ernesto Arceo, O.P., followed by parties, a dinner, and a 10-minute fireworks display seen over much of Sampaloc, Manila.

The night was capped off by a concert (7 pm) with the Thomasian pop band Callalily, Thomasian alumna and bossa nova singer Sofia, Soapdish, and to chill and wrap up the night, the Atenean band Parokya ni Edgar and UP band Kamikazee. Heavy rains in the end, however, dampened the smooth flow of the programme.

The winning team will reportedly head to the Great Wall of China as a reward for their championship, as promised by the acting rector

After the championship celebrations, PLDT, whose president is Manny Pangilinan, a known Ateneo supporter, released a radio advertisement, where the ad depicts a play-by-play basketball sequence, with the commentator outlining a UST three-point play, and at the climax, the commentator retorts, "Who cares?" which then promotes a new PLDT product. After the promotion, the commentator comes back and says, "Game over, who won?"

The following year, the Tigers entered the playoff round by beating FEU in a rubber match. In the stepladder round, they lose to the Eagles who sought revenge on their defeat in the finals. They would lose key players like Cortez and Espiritu following next year.

In season 71, the Tigers with high expectations finished at 6–8 and not making to the Final Four for the first time in Pido Jarencio's tenure as coach. They also lose 6 key players from the championship team to graduation leaving Dylan Ababou as the sole member of the 2006 championship team next year.