Jarencio-Barako Bull team up off

MANILA, Philippines — Pido Jarencio is staying on as University of Santo Tomas head coach in the UAAP following a breakdown in negotiations for his transfer to Barako Bull, which is now hoping to tap Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman.

Sources said negotiations for a three-year deal didn’t work out between Barako Bull and Jarencio, who was  reported last month to have already announced  his decision to school officials to leave  UST following a PBA coaching offer.

The latest development led Barako Bull to meet with Toroman, who “formally sought a release from his contract” with the San Miguel group on Friday which was granted according to a press statement yesterday.

“Management approved Mr. Toroman’s request (to explore other opportunities) and wishes him well in his future endeavors,” the San Miguel group statement said.

Toroman joined San Miguel Corp. last year after mentoring the Smart Gilas national team for three years in many international campaigns, including the 2011 Fiba Asia Championship where the country finished fourth.

But Toroman was never handed the coaching reins as he only served as consultant to Petron in the PBA and to San Miguel Beer in the Asean Basketball League.

Before the Barako Bull management met with Toroman yesterday, Jarencio, who  has coached the Tigers for seven seasons and also works as a Petron Blaze assistant coach, had been the first choice to replace Barako interim coach Bong Ramos.

Jarencio, who steered UST to the UAAP championship on his coaching debut in 2006—led his alma mater to another title in the 2012 Philippine Collegiate Champions League and a runner-up finish in the last UAAP season.

Ramos took over from Junel Baculi, who was also recently named as coach of Globalport.

With Jarencio’s return,  UST remains a UAAP favorite in the coming season for its virtually intact roster led by Karim Abdul, Jeric Teng and Aljon Mariano.