Former UST ace Francisco leads choices as Tigers coach

MANILA, Philippines—A key cog in the University of Santo Tomas’ dominant ’90s reign has emerged as one of the leading coaching candidates of the men’s basketball team.

Gerard Francisco, who played in the last two UST teams that won four straight UAAP championships, became one of the top choices after formally applying early this week for the head coaching post vacated by Pido Jarencio.

Francisco, a winner in practically all levels, also won a UAAP championship with the UST Cubs before picking up two more with the seniors squad where he bagged the Rookie of the Year honor and named in the Mythical Team twice.

Jarencio, who steered UST to a title on his rookie year in 2006, parted ways with the Tigers last month and signed a two-year deal with Globalport in the PBA.

Since then, among the names floated as replacement were assistant coach Estong Ballesteros, whom Jarencio endorsed, and former Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Francisco, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business, has no commitment with any PBA team.

The 36-year-old Francisco started coaching last season as one of Caloy Garcia’s Letran assistants in the NCAA where the Knights finished second.