TRUTH be told, University of Santo Tomas was in danger of being penalized, or worse, forfeiting its game against National U on Sunday.
Borne out of a scheduling confusion, the Growling Tigers came out for shootaround wearing whites – and not their designated gold jerseys.
“Akala namin white [uniforms] kami so yung staff namin, white ang dala. Sobrang samang experience siguro noon. Ngayon lang ako matatalo dahil sa di nagdala ng uniform,” shared coach Pido Jarencio.
READ: How FIBA tiebreak rule guarantees UST Tigers the No. 3 seed
But just in the nick of time, the utility got to SM Mall of Asia Arena with the correct sets of jerseys as the players made their way back to the court with just a minute left before tip-off.
“Isipin mo galing pa ng Espana, dinala dito yung uniporme. Last one minute ng warmup before the tipoff, buti umabot,” the mentor shared.
As tense as those minutes before game time might have been, UST went back to normal as it was all business in taking down NU, 80-71, to formalize its entry to the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final Four on Sunday.
But for Jarencio, it’s just a glimpse of the Growling Tigers’ teamwork – with everyone doing their part as they shoot for the stars this year.
“Teamwork ito. From the staff, sa utility boys namin, sa players, sa coaches. Iisang team ito, isang pamilya na manalo o matalo sama-sama,” he said.
That also explained Jarencio’s decision to shun away from doing the customary postgame interviews early in the season and instead delegating his deputies to speak to the media.
Through the course of this campaign, UST has had assistant coaches Japs Cuan, Peter Martin, Juno Sauler, CJ Balingit, and Bam Ledesma speak on his behalf to join the players after every win.
“Halos lahat yata nakausap niyo na,” said the outspoken mentor. Jeric Fortuna, Jaren Jarencio, Alvin Grey, and Ian Herrera are the only ones in his staff which have not been called up to do these media availability.
“Yung mga coaches ko na dinadala dito, yung coaching staff tulungan kami lahat. Kaya yung mga umuupo dito at nakakausap niyo, kasi part sila ng team at ang laki ng tulong nila sa team. It’s not all about me. Team kami.”
Sunday actually was Jarencio’s first time to enter the press room this season and he did not disappoint, swooning the media once more with his signature charm and even sung a few OPM classics.
All the while, he wore that infectious smile.
And why wouldn’t he?
With the way that UST performed in taking down NU, sharing the rock which led to four players breaching double figures in scoring, the never-ending energy to run down the court, the quality minutes that the bench players provided, to its tenacity on defense, that’s exactly the juggernaut people predicted this team will be.
“Yung pace namin ganoon talaga. Yung ang laruan namin talaga is takbuhan, sharing the ball, and playing as a team kaya yan ang resulta ng stats. Normal na sa amin yun kasi we’re playing as a group, as one unit,” Jarencio said. “Timing lang yan sa mga players na tumutulong. Pumutok sila sa fourth quarter kaya I’m very thankful na nanalo tayo.”
Now that the games matter more, Jarencio is oozing with confidence as he has his full trust on his boys to achieve the goals they set forth – doubters be damned.
“Noong nag-four straight losses kami, marami ang nagdududa na, ‘Papasok pa kaya ‘tong UST na ‘to? Ano ba ‘tong UST na ‘to? Joke lang ba ‘to?’ No, we’re here. Parating na kami,” he forewarned.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
