UAAP: Aljon Mariano breaks silence on Twitter, vows to learn from mistakes

Embattled University of Santo Tomas Growling Tiger Aljon Mariano broke his silence Wednesday evening, tweeting on his account @aljonmariano for the first time since his team lost game three of the UAAP Season 76 Finals, Saturday, to the De La Salle University Green Archers.

Mariano began by thanking the team's fans for their support, before tackling accusations that his poor performance in the Finals was due to him throwing games.

Hello! Good evening! :) pic.twitter.com/MO2HIaOiAQ

— aljon mariano (@aljonmariano) October 16, 2013

"Unang una salamat sa mga patuloy na naniniwala at nag defend sakin. Sorry dun sa mga na disappoint ko naintidihan ko kayo….Buong season up and down [ako]….Ndi ako nakapag deliver at may mga decision ako that cost us the championship [sic].

"We have to take risks at doon tayo matutuo at titibay. Madami akong natutunan at nalaman dito di lang sa basketball….Learn from it and bounce back sabi nag nila. Basta I am and will always be proud that I'm a Thomasian! Buong puso! Kita kits next year! [sic]"

In game three, two charities by Mariano actually tied up the game at 65-all, 53 seconds left, but with a chance to win the game in regulation, he opted to take a game-winning attempt out of a timeout instead of passing to an open teammate, resulting in overtime. He was then responsible for a crucial turnover late, as the Tigers ultimately lost.

In the three game series, Mariano totaled just 14 points on a combined 5-of-28 shooting from the field. He also normed 7.67 rebounds and 1.67 assists.

Earlier in the week, head coach Pido Jarencio and King Tiger Jeric Teng also defended the forward, the former via Twitter and the latter in a TV interview

Mariano also told GMA News via a text message that he had battled injuries all season, and would need surgery to deal with bone spurs in his ankle. - AMD, GMA News