UST has one of the winningest high school basketball programs in the UAAP with 11 titles, but with that dominance comes the challenge of “poaching” — other schools recruiting Tiger Cubs for their own programs.
In recent years, UST has lost several top high school prospects to rival programs, including Bismarck Lina (UP), Andrei Dungo (DLSU), and Jacob Cortez (San Beda University). In Season 87, only guard Mark Llemit made the jump from the Tiger Cubs to the seniors’ roster.
Recognizing this trend, Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Iñigo said he is working closely with Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio to prevent poaching and ensure more juniors transition to UST’s college team.
“One page naman kami ni Coach Pido,” Iñigo told the Varsitarian. “Kaya kami nagsama rin ni Coach Pido, dini-develop namin from high school level pa lang, mayro’n silang mga ready na papunta sa college.”
“Para hindi na tayo mahihirapan na humanap pa sa ibang schools ng mga players na babagay sa UST kasi may product na tayo galing sa high school,” he added.
In Season 87, the Tiger Cubs boast a stacked lineup, including Gilas Youth standouts Carl Manding and Charles Esteban, dominant big man Koji Buenaflor, and one-and-done foreign student-athlete Racine Kane.
Adding to the depth of the program are NBA Without Borders standout Joaquin Ludovice and Season 87 junior high school Mythical Five members Jhon Canapi and Nickson Cabanero.
With such a talented roster, Iñigo admitted that other UAAP teams have already approached his players about transferring. However, he emphasized that Jarencio has the “first pick” among the graduating Tiger Cubs.
“‘Yong mga graduating naman natin kinausap na lahat ni Coach Pido ‘yan. So pagdating naman doon, syempre hindi na ako nakikialam pero, meron naman kaming usapan ni coach Pido na from sa akin, siya ‘yong first pick,” he said.
While securing the future of UST basketball remains a priority, Iñigo’s immediate focus is on Season 87, where the Tiger Cubs are determined to end their 24-year championship drought.
“Sa totoo lang, sa lahat ng graduating ang dami na kumakausap. Pero, sinabihan ko ‘yong mga player na mag-focus muna tayo sa season natin,” Inigo said.
“After ng season, wala naman akong problema na kausapin nyo sila, pakinggan nyo sila, pero, gina-guide ko naman sila na focus lang muna kayo ngayon para at least, ‘yong value nyo, mas gaganda pa.”
