Returning Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio remains steadfast in his commitment to instill a winning culture and identity in UST’s men’s basketball team which only secured four victories out of 28 games over the past two seasons.
Jarencio, who previously coached UST for eight seasons until 2013, took over from fellow UST basketball legend Bal David. David resigned following the team’s dismal 1-13 win-loss record in Season 85.
“In terms of preparation, ready naman yung team na,” Jarencio told the Varsitarian. “Kaya lang, siyempre, yung kultura, binabago pa rin natin. Gusto natin magkaroon ng winning attitude and winning culture dito sa team.”
“Medyo nawala ‘yan eh, matagal nawala. Nawalan ng identity, siguro yun yung kailangan na maibalik natin, magkaroon ng identity yung team,” he added.
In his second stint as UST head coach, Jarencio acknowledges that reviving basketball glory in España would be difficult. The Tigers have missed out on UAAP gold for 17 years.
However armed with the experience he gained in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the 58-year-old tactician feels “more ready” to coach the Tigers this time.
After leaving the Tigers Lair in 2013, Jarencio served as the head coach of the Globalport/Northport franchise until January 2023. Jarencio is now Northport’s team manager, swapping roles with UST team consultant and Letran three-peat coach Bonnie Tan.
“Medyo mahaba-habang proseso ‘to. Kasi nine years ako nawala sa UST… Siguro experience wise, I’m ready, I’m more than ready before nung nagcoach ako sa UST,” Jarencio said.
Jarencio said he wants the Tigers to exemplify his “Puso, Pride, Palaban” mantra, even in the face of stiff competition in the UAAP.
Jarencio added that UST will be patient in rebuilding, taking it one game at a time and executing hard work in every game and training session.
“‘Pride’ is dala ko ang UST, mamahalin ko ang UST. ‘Puso’ is you play with heart. Then ‘Palaban’ means we’re not backing down. Hindi tayo aatras kahit dehado. Basta yung team, ipe-prepare natin,” Jarencio said.
“We’ll just do it one game at a time, ‘yun ang goal… I don’t make promises, pero kami we just work hard every game,” he added.
The Tigers will bank on the improvement of its frontline led by import Adama Faye, veteran big Christian Manaytay, sophomore Echo Laure, and incoming rookie Gelo Crisostomo to bolster its redemption bid in Season 86. Jarencio added that the development of sophomore guard Kenji Duremdes and mainstay Migs Pangilinan will be crucial to UST’s success.
Ultimately, Jarencio and the rest of the Growling Tigers will rely on their sixth man, the Thomasian community, to be in step with the rest of the playing field in Season 86.
“Basta ang UST iba yan pag UAAP season, lalo nandiyan yung sixth man namin, the UST community. Pagka nandiyan ‘yan, mabigat din na kalaban ang UST,” Jarencio said.
The UST Growling Tigers will open its UAAP Season 86 campaign against season host UE Red Warriors on Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Ernest Martin G. Tuazon
