Sean Chambers, Pido Jarencio set for showdown as UAAP coaches

UST coach Pido Jarencio and FEU Tamaraws’ coach Sean Chambers, both PBA greats, face off at the sidelines in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — From competing at the highest during their time in the PBA, Sean Chambers and Pido Jarencio look to outwit each other in coaching as Far Eastern University and the University of Santo Tomas collide in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Chambers has not forgotten playing against Jarencio when he was Alaska’s resident import against the Jarencio and Ginebra–formerly Gordon’s Gin–in the PBA during the mid-1990s.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

“If Pido can put on a UST jersey and I can wear it FEU, I will foul him hard. For the times that he fouled me back in the 90s. I owe him most definitely. So maybe we’ll have a coaches league one day. But I’m still mad at Pito. Yes. He knows it too,” quipped FEU rookie coach Chambers on facing the seasoned UST coach.

Kidding aside, the American coach said he is learning so much from the UAAP coaches after finally getting his first win against coach Tab Baldwin and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in overtime, 66-65, last Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Basketball is a life here and you’re never going to outcoach a coach here. What you’re going to do is try to get your kids most prepared to play in those games. I’m completely blown away by the execution of UP. I’m blown away by the way that Adamson plays and I’m impressed with NU, how they’re continuing to battle without an import. So, and all the way down the line, what UE’s doing right now. Everybody is really, really good at what they do here,” Chambers said.

READ: Manaytay: UST going after top UAAP teams now

“My job is to make sure I elevate my guys’ game plan for them so they have a chance to win games.”

After FEU snapped a five-game skid last week, Chambers preaches patience for his young team led by Jorick Bautista, Veejay Pre, Janrey Pasaol, and Mo Konateh. 

“Every loss, I just felt like, it falls on me just getting them prepared for this level. And now I understand and see how hard we have to go, how hard we have to prepare, doing walkthroughs in the mornings. We’re going to be a problem for the rest of the season. I really believe that. We’re going to be out,” said the PBA legend.

“And I’m glad they got that first win. And I think it’s going to continue to grow. But, it’s a journey, we need to make sure we protect these young kids for their future.”

Jarencio and UST, meanwhile, are hoping to end a two-game skid and improve their 3-3 record as Mo Tounkara vows to bounce back from back-to-back losses to La Salle and UP.