UST Growling Tigers’ coach Pido Jarencio during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against Ateneo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio was far from usual his fiery and fuming demeanor during their frustrating campaign last year, showing confidence and trust in the new-look Growling Tigers in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
This has helped lead UST to a a 2-0 start after ending a nine-year winning drought against Ateneo on Wednesday, with Gelo Crisostomo and Mo Tounkara putting up double-double performances in the 74-64 win.
“Didn’t you notice? I’ve changed too. I don’t yell at the players anymore,” joked Coach Pido Jarencio after UST ended a 17-game losing streak against Ateneo.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“These guys are steady now. I have a lot of confidence in my players. They’re the ones playing, so I let them be. Gelo is a bit shy. If he could, he wouldn’t speak at all. But he’s performing, right? He rebounds, he shoots. He’s just shy to talk.”
In fact, Jarencio didn’t use much of his timeouts when the Growling Tigers pulled away in the fourth, allowing his players to decide on their own with floor general Forthsky Padrigao running the plays and finishing with nine assists.
UST Growling Tigers react after being Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“We gained momentum, especially in the fourth quarter, and it kept going. Forthsky, was directing the plays and controlling the game. I didn’t even call a timeout. I asked them if I needed to, and they said, ‘No, coach, so we can keep the momentum.’ I only called a timeout in the last 20 seconds, and I still had three left,” the veteran coach said.
“This win is for the UST community. Thank you for your support. Our numbers are growing, and tickets are running out at the office. That’s another problem, right? But it’s a good problem to have.”
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When the Tigers trailed at the half, 37-41, Jarencio just reminded his wards to exert more effort and show stronger communication to break their slow start.
“Our effort was a bit lacking. We needed to work harder, and in the second half, we did just that. We outworked them, and that’s what we were looking for. Maybe that’s why the breaks of the game went our way, and we gained momentum,” he said.
More than his new calm demeanor, Jarencio also attributed their good start to the depth of his new-look roster as more players have been stepping up for the team this year with Padrigao, Crisostomo, Tounkara, Mark Llemit, Geremy Robinson, and Kyle Paranada providing more help for Nic Cabañero.
READ: UAAP: Struggling last season, UST eases past UE to open new campaign
“We’re working to establish our team’s identity because if you’re not winning, you don’t have one. But now that we’re winning and doing well with the system we implemented, Forthsky is leading, and we’ve started building that identity. This team is developing teeth,” Jarencio said.
“There are still some surprises in store with players from the bench. We have a deep bench, so there are more players ready to step up.”
Despite the 2-0 start, Jarencio urged his wards to stay grounded knowing they haven’t achieved anything yet.
“It’s still a long way to go. But at least we’re starting to get some wins and build momentum. When the second round comes, it’s going to be more intense. Our goal is to take it one game at a time and make it to the Final Four. That’s our focus for now,” said Jarencio as they battle Adamson on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.