Jarencio steps down as UST Tigers coach

Jarencio set to resign as UST head coach post. INQUIRER file photo

After seven seasons, a UAAP title and, most recently a national crown, the charismatic Pido Jarencio has stepped down as coach of the Santo Tomas Growling Tigers to pursue a more lucrative coaching option.

This was learned by the Inquirer from several personalities close to the former Barangay Ginebra star as Jarencio sets out to possibly accept an offer to coach one professional squad which had a coaching change recently.

Jarencio, whose battles with the University of the East’s Allan Caidic in the UAAP in the early 1980s have become league legend, bade school officials farewell in a meeting shortly after winning the Philippine Collegiate Champions League title.

The 50-year-old did not return calls from the Inquirer at presstime.

Jarencio never won a UAAP title despite leading the league in scoring several seasons, but he did win a crown as a coach in 2006, the first year of his tenure, with a lineup backstopped by now Petron Blaze reserve Jojo Duncil.

The Tigers were swept in close fashion by the Ateneo Blue Eagles this season though they bounced back hard in the PCCL and repulsed the Eagles—minus coach Norman Black—in three games.

Jarencio’s time with the Tigers produced a number of good PBA players, including Dylan Ababou of Barangay Ginebra and Jervy Cruz of Rain or Shine.

The sources also said that Jarencio has endorsed Estong Ballesteros, another ex-Tiger from a different era, as his replacement.