July 30, 2015, 6:04p.m. – THE UST Growling Tigers beefed up their training staff after tapping the services of
Alvin Patrimonio, one of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)’s all-time
greats.
The four-time
PBA Most Valuable Player will be mentoring the Growling Tigers as the new “big
men’s coach” and will especially teach all of the players his patented post
moves.
“Nakikita ko
na gusto talaga nilang mag-improve,” Patrimonio told the Varsitarian.
But Patrimonio
clarified that his duties for UST will not hinder his commitment with the
Purefoods Star Hotshots and another non-UAAP team.
Patrimonio
will fill the shoes left by former “big men’s coach” Estong Ballesteros, who
resigned from his post last December right after the UAAP basketball season
ended. Patrimonio will now be in charge of training the team’s big players.
Growling
Tigers coach Bong dela Cruz told the Varsitarian that it was his UST high
school teammates Jon Jon Villanueva and Kenneth Causon who convinced “The
Captain” to coach for UST.
“Hindi ko
masasabing official kasi may commitment siya sa Purefoods pero part na siya ng
team. Napalaking tulong niya,” said dela Cruz.
Center Karim
Abdul welcomed the addition of Patrimonio.
“[He gives
the] little details which can make a big difference,” he said. John Chester P.
Fajardo
