UST Growling Tigers

UST Growling Tigers
University of Santo Tomas
League	UAAP
Joined	1938 (NCAA founding member - 1924)
Location	España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
Team colors	Gold, white, and black
Women's team	Tigresses
Juniors' team	Tiger Cubs
Seniors' general championships
UAAP: 40 1958–59 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1967–68 1970–71 1975–76 1976–77 1979–80 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2014–15
Juniors' general championships
UAAP: 17 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2014–15 2015–16
Website	www.usttigers.com

The UST Growling Tigers is the varsity team of the University of Santo Tomas that plays in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. Formerly called the Glowing Goldies, the name has been changed starting with the 1992–93 season.

The University of Santo Tomas holds the most number of UAAP Overall Championships with 57 titles (40 Seniors' Division Overall Championships in the 69 seasons that the title was awarded and 17 Juniors' Division Overall Championships out of 21 seasons).

The university has an excellent athletic program in all sporting events of the league. The university also takes part in various sports leagues such as the Philippine Collegiate Champions League, the Shakey's V-League and the University Games.

The men's varsity team of the University of Santo Tomas used to be called the "Glowing Goldies". The change to "Growling Tigers" came after the embarrassment suffered by the UST crowd who were present during the opening ceremonies of Season 54 (1991–92). Part of the program was the parade of school mascots. Host University of the Philippines which was the producer of the program was at a loss on how to represent the Glowing Goldies concretely. Since UST is a Dominican institute, the host decided to represent the school with an old Dominican friar holding a basketball, with sweatbands on the arms as well as band-aids all over its body and limbs. This personification drew a lot of laughter from the crowd. Due to this embarrassment, a search for a new mascot was held. Athletic Director Felicitas Francisco suggested the tiger as the new mascot due to its gold and white colors.

When it was UST's turn to be host in Season 55 (1992–93), the new growling tiger mascot debuted in the opening ceremonies. Since then, Mrs. Francisco always donned her tiger-striped coat when she attends UST playoff games. The High School boys' team then called the "Golden Nuggets" likewise changed its name to "Tiger Cubs".

It should be noted that Manila Central University used the tiger mascot (with purple and gold colors) in the UAAP when it joined in 1952. It withdrew from the UAAP in 1962 and is currently inactive in intercollegiate athletics.

The gold and white colors of the flag of the Vatican City were adopted by University of Santo Tomas as its school colors because of its Pontifical status.