Pido Jarencio returns as head coach of the UST Growling Tigers. Photo from The Varsitarian
MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas has officially named Pido Jarencio as head coach of the Growling Tigers ahead of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.
Jarencio and the team met on Friday at the Quadricentennial Pavillion, formalizing his homecoming after 10 years, as per The Varsitarian, the school’s official publication.
The publication posted pictures of Jarencio meeting the Tigers, wearing a UST shirt with his famous battle cry written at the back: “Ako ay Tomasino may Puso, Pride, Palaban.”
The former UAAP champion coach, who steered the Tigers to their last title in 2006, replaced Bal David at the helm.
David, a PBA legend like Jarencio, resigned after just one season where UST managed to get only one win out of 14 games.
Jarencio coached UST from 2006 to 2013 and reached the Finals thrice. He only missed the Final Four twice in 2008 and 2010.
The ex-UST Glowing Goldie, who saw action in the UAAP under Charles Badion and Aric Del Rosario in the 1980s, played coy when he was asked about being reinstated as a college coach last week in the PBA.
But he admitted that he had negotiations with UST athletic director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P.
“Let’s just wait for their announcement,” said the Northport team manager last Saturday. “Someway, somehow, I got to talk to them. Nakatsambang usap. Just talks for now.”
Jarencio will inherit a young core, led by Nic Cabanero.
UST was the third team to replace its head coach after La Salle hired Topex Robinson and Far Eastern University promoted Denok Miranda.