BY Gwen Bergado
From one Tiger's den to another, Manu Iñigo seized a shot at glory and history.
Already an NCAA champion coach, he added another title under his belt six years later - this time, on the UAAP stage.
Through his guidance, University of Santo Tomas ended a 24-year absence from the mountaintop at the close of the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament.
READ: Tiger Cubs bring home basketball championship to Espana
“Mas masarap talaga yung nakapag-champion kami nang underdogs at hindi kami 'yung malakas,” the seasoned tactician shared after the second-seeded Tiger Cubs' well-earned Game 3 overtime win against No. 1-ranked NU-Nazareth School.
“Mas masarap ‘to para sa'kin ngayon kasi nga, with what happened, talagang nasaktan kami nung nawala kami sa kabila.”
By "kabila," Inigo was referring to San Beda, which he steered to an NCAA championship in 2019.
And by "what happened," he meant his, his staff, and his backer's unceremonious exit from the Red Cubs in 2022.
“Hindi namin alam anong nangyari, kung bakit kami inalis,” the now-UAAP champion coach furthered.
According to insiders who were closely monitoring the situation back then, however, a separate camp went through with its takeover of the famed juniors program, with the blessing of school officials.
Inigo's side, through team manager Jarvis Co, later cried foul about what they perceived to be a lack of due process regarding their firing.
READ: San Beda Red Cubs team manager, coaches cry foul over sudden sacking
A year later, Inigo, still with Co as his backer, found his footing in Espana where he was installed as UST's shot-caller in boys' basketball.
The move immediately paid dividends, as in his first year, he guided the Tiger Cubs back to the Final Four and then the next season, coached them to an impressive title run.
“God's plan lahat ng ito, kung bakit kami napunta dito at bakit nawala kami sa San Beda,” he said.
READ: Coach Manu Inigo on the doorstep of history with Tiger Cubs
If so, then the higher powers just wrote a story about Inigo joining Turo Valenzona, Joel Banal, Koy Banal, and Aldin Ayo winning championships in NCAA and UAAP basketball in the modern era.
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