FRESH off a historic UAAP boys’ basketball championship run with UST, Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Iñigo will return to the NCAA after accepting an assistant coaching role at the College of Saint Benilde.
Iñigo will work under Blazers lead tactician Charles Tiu, joining a coaching staff that includes Paolo Layug, Gabby Severino, Ty Tang, Carlo Tan, and Marvin Bienvenida.
Despite the new commitment, Iñigo confirmed to the Varsitarian that he would remain UST’s boys’ basketball coach, with one more year left on his contract alongside assistants Andy Mejos, Noli Mejos, and JM Lagumen.
“Magiging part lang ng coaching staff (ng Benilde). Tutulong lang do’n,” Iñigo, who has an NCAA title to his name after leading the San Beda Red Cubs to the championship in 2019, told the Varsitarian.
“Of course, I feel blessed na may new job and new challenges para sa coaching career ko. I am looking forward ako na makasama ulit yun former players ko and syempre sa mga well-known coaching staff ng CSB.”
Iñigo is only the fifth head coach in the modern era to win both UAAP and NCAA juniors’ basketball championships.
He recently steered the Tiger Cubs to the Season 87 boys’ basketball championship, ending a 24-year title drought by overcoming the top-seeded NUNS Bullpups in a three-game series.
Iñigo will try to replicate that feat — though as an assistant this time — with the Blazers, who are also in a 24-year NCAA title drought.
Iñigo last coached an NCAA team in 2021. He was dismissed from his post at San Beda over an alleged human resources complaint.
Inigo made the move to UST in March 2023, steering the Tiger Cubs to an 8-6 record in his first year in Season 86 before achieving a breakthrough championship run a year later.
Aside from bringing a wealth of experience to an already stacked Blazers squad, another key factor in Inigo’s decision to join Benilde was the opportunity to reunite with former San Beda players Justine Sanchez, Tony Ynot, and Gab Cometa.
Inigo’s primary focus is expected to remain with the Tiger Cubs, especially with two upcoming competitions: the 2025 National Basketball Training Center Finals set to begin this week and the UAAP 3×3 boys’ basketball tournament in May.
“This will help me learn more and improve more kasi different level din ‘to ng basketball and magandang experience ‘to for me. I just want to learn more everyday from different coaches and players,” he said.
