Pido Jarencio back at helm for UST anew

Pido Jarencio is coming back to UST! Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Pao Ambat

MANILA—In hopes of reclaiming lost glory and bouncing back from a disappointing campaign last year, a familiar face is returning to call the shots in Espana. 

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) officially named Pido Jarencio as its coach again through a statement released on Friday, replacing Bal David after just one season that saw the Growling Tigers finish dead last in Season 85. 

Jarencio spent eight years on his first tour of duty for the Espana-based squad that was highlighted by a men’s basketball crown in 2006 when they beat the Ateneo Blue Eagles in three decisive games.

The 58-year-old Jarencio also steered the Growling Tigers to six Final Four appearances in his first tenure for the team before leaving the amateur ranks to take his act into the PBA when he became the head tactician of the then GlobalPort Batang Pier in 2013.

Coincidentally, before returning to coach his alma mater anew, Jarencio relinquished the coaching post from the club now known as NorthPort and later became team manager. 

UST also welcomed the arrival of Bonnie Tan as the team consultant and Waiyip Chong and Eric Ang as team managers. Tan is the replacement for Jarencio in NorthPort after he vacated the position. 

Jarencio spent his college years with UST in the 1980s and later became a three-time PBA champion in 15 seasons playing in the pros. 

He will be inheriting a team who finished with a lackluster 1-13 record last year and is hoping to end a 17-year title drought.

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