UST legend Bal “The Flash” David, who helped steer the Growling Tigers to back-to-back championships in the early ‘90s, is the team’s new head coach, multiple sources told the Varsitarian.
David, a four-time all-star and two-time champion in the PBA, was tapped to help redeem the UST team that finished with a 3-11 win-loss slate in UAAP Season 84 and is currently winless through four PBA D-League games.
David was a UST guard under the tutelage of the late UST coaching great Aric del Rosario. He is best known for his heroics in Game 3 of the 1994 finals between UST and De La Salle University, in which he scored a game-high 17 points and sank the game-winning free throws with six seconds left for the title.
He was also part of the 1993 UST team that won the championship by sweeping the elimination round.
The return of the UST legend marks an important part in the rebuilding of its basketball program after the departure of several players and erstwhile head coach Aldin Ayo.
David replaced former head coach Jinino Manansala, who is currently coaching St. Clare College in the D-League.
“For now, nakatutok muna ako sa high school program natin,” Manansala told the Varsitarian, referring to the UST Tiger Cubs.
David will make his UST coaching debut on July 25, when the Tigers will open their 2022 Fil-Oil Premier Cup against the Jose Rizal University Bombers. Nicole Anne D.G Bugauisan with reports from Mark Ernest V. Villeza
