Alfrancis Chua. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of Santo Tomas may just get a major boost, if former Glowing Goldy Alfrancis Chua gets his way.
Chua, the sports director of San Miguel Corporation, said he’s “willing to help” his alma mater rise from the dirge it got itself into in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament.
“I am willing to help, whatever contribution I can give I will give as long as we can hear that ‘Go USTe!’ chant once more,” said Chua in Filipino Wednesday at Okada Manila after the press conference for the 43rd season of the PBA.
“Now you won’t even hear the ‘Go USTe!’ chant.”
Chua said the funding will come from the coffers of San Miguel Corporation with CEO Ramon Ang willing to lend support for the Growling Tigers, a team that finished 1-13 in Season 80.
“With my boss RSA, if I talk to him to help my alma mater, he’ll help for sure,” said Chua who handles all three San Miguel teams in the PBA and Petron in the Philippine Super Liga.
“My boss is always willing to help especially if it’s a sport program. He’ll be quick to lend support once he sees the plan.”
Chua added that members of UST’s alumni relations talked to him during the UAAP season if he can lend a hand to the Growling Tigers, but no formal negotiations have taken place between Chua and the school.
But the UST alum added that he won’t be returning to coaching despite how tumultuous the situation in España.
UST still doesn’t have a head coach after Boy Sablan’s exit, but rumors say De La Salle mentor Aldin Ayo will switch from the green-and-white to the black-and-gold.
No matter what happens, though, it will never be Chua at helm.
“Will I coach again? I haven’t coach for a while and I don’t even have a plan to return here in the PBA,” said Chua who coached Pop Cola, Tanduay, Sta. Lucia, and Ginebra. “Coaching’s hard because there are only two kinds of coaches, the ones who are fired and the ones who will get fired.”
“For sure, I won’t coach UST but I’m willing to help in any way. If UST needs our help, why not? That’s where I came from, it hurts that it’s in this situation.”