THE UST Growling Tigers and Growling Tigresses are set to receive fresh support from Thomasian-owned construction firms Archipelago Builders and Archi Cast ahead of UAAP Season 88.
On Wednesday, March 19, the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, led by director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., formalized its partnership with the companies, which are owned by UST civil engineering alumnus John Paul Pe, to support the Growling Tigers and Growling Tigresses.
UST head coaches Pido Jarencio and Haydee Ong, as well as varsity players Kent Pastrana, Eka Soriano, Forthsky Padrigao, and Nic Cabañero attended the signing.
Cansancio said the firms are set to provide “substantial” financial support to UST’s senior basketball teams starting this offseason.
“The sponsorship of engineer John Paul Pe, owner/president of Archipelago Builders and Archi Cast, will surely boost the recruitment and preparations of the teams for next season,” Cansancio told the Varsitarian.
Pe has long been supporting several projects by UST and alumni groups. Last year, he donated a 65-square-meter chapel at UST Santa Rosa and has been offering scholarships to UST students.
“Kung ano merong opportunity, we try to support. But mostly mga scholarships, kasi part ako ng alumni [association] right now,” Pe told the Varsitarian. “Aside from that, we are looking forward to more projects with the Growling Tigers.”
Pe was a former varsity athlete for UST, while his son, Paolo, played as a backup center for the Growling Tigers in 2013 when they reached the UAAP finals under Jarencio.
With added support from his companies, Pe said he wanted to boost the Growling Tigers’ offseason buildup for Season 88 as they aim for their first UAAP men’s basketball title since 2006.
“[I’m] looking forward to more trainings with the athletes. This UAAP season, we are looking forward to a championship. Sabi nga nila, nandoon na tayo sa top three,” he said.
“We are looking forward sa mga training. Ngayon, may mga accomodation na; dati kasi, wala masyado. Ngayon, medyo may mga funds na ang UST, and that’s very good. That will double down ‘yong goal natin na mag-champion.”
Cansancio said the new agreement would not impact existing partnerships with other UST basketball sponsors, such as Cocolife and San Miguel Corp., which has Thomasian Alfrancis Chua as its sports director.
“SMC-Petron is still with us and will be staying for as long as they want,” the IPEA director said. “We have a long-term partnership with coach Alfrancis Chua.”
“The new sponsor will not replace our existing sponsors for the team. They are an addition to the growing list of sponsors for the men’s and women’s basketball teams,” he added.
UST will host Season 88, which will start later this year.
