Jarencio on UST UAAP Finals loss: ‘My heart is bleeding’

In this INQUIRER File photo, Pido Jarencio (right) speaks with the media along with Jeric Teng a couple of seasons ago in the UAAP. Jarencio, Teng and the rest of the UST Growling Tigers lost in Game 3 of the UAAP Finals to the De La Salle Green Archers in 2013.

Pido Jarencio had experienced the euphoria of a championship and the pain of a heartbreaking loss.

Jarencio steered the ragtag University of Santo Tomas to UAAP glory in 2006 and in his last two years as the Growling Tigers head coach in 2012 and 2013, he guided the team back to the finals only to fall short on both times.

Even if he’s in the PBA coaching Globalport in a crucial tiff, the charismatic Jarencio can’t help but share the sorrow of another what could’ve been.

“My heart is bleeding,” Jarencio said with sadness in his voice even though his Batang Pier assured a playoff spot in the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum already updated with development that his former team was dealt with another painful result.

“Three finals in four years, and we still lost. Disappointing, but those are the same players who played in the finals in the previous years.”

Kevin Ferrer, Karim Abdul, Ed Daquioag, Louie Vigil, and Kent Lao were already part of the Tigers’ previous two trips to the finals, and the experience of watching his old players fall once more in the biggest stage was a staggering blow to the former UST standout.

“It was frustrating. I was in the two championship series and I thought this year we would get it,” Jarencio said. “It’s probably not the time for UST.”

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