HEAD COACH: Pido Jarencio (3rd season)
LAST SEASON: 7-7 (Final Four, lost to UP)
HOLDOVERS: Nic Cabanero, Forthsky Padrigao, Gelo Crisostomo, Kyle Paranada, Mark Llemit, Amiel Acido, Ice Danting, Leland Estacio
SUBTRACTIONS: Mo Tounkara, Christian Manaytay, Migs Pangilinan, Geremy Robinson, Chase Lane, Zain Mahmood
ADDITIONS: Collins Akowe, Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, Carl Manding, Jiro Sevilla, Lorenzo Bangco
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UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio isn’t one to watch his words, but for the upcoming UAAP Season 88, the outspoken mentor is taking a different approach: he’s keeping his tongue tied.
“Ayoko na muna ng interviews kasi baka marami na namang masabi sa akin,” he said, looking back at the controversies and criticisms thrown his way since coming back to Espana.
It’s a curious approach for the PBA great, one that he plans to uphold for the whole season, as he decided to deflect attention to his players, his staff, and his team.
Jarencio's frank and tactless nature has gotten him in hot water one too many times, with his words deemed too crude, especially by today’s public. Remember when he told his haters that he loves them all, just to pull a 180 by telling them to scram seconds later? And we’re actually being modest in describing what was actually said.
Maybe the 'Pido-isms' aren’t really built for this generation.
But in hindsight, this might just be a masterstroke from Jarencio.
For the first time since 2019, the Growling Tigers are coming to the season with heightened expectations, with many foreseeing them to make a deep run and give defending champion University of the Philippines and La Salle, which won it all two years ago, a run for their money.
READ: Coaches see UST playing spoiler to UP-La Salle III in UAAP Season 88
And it’s not just the money they’re after. They want the glory - and it all begins with the faces who run this place in Nic Cabanero and Forthsky Padrigao.
Nic and Forthsky's last hoorah
Cabanero, who has endured hardship since his rookie season in UST, is out for blood, as he seeks a fitting farewell by targeting no less than the crown.
“Our goal is really the championship,” he testified, owning up to the captaincy in his final go-round with the Growling Tigers.
Padrigao, the banished champion who got a second chance in black-and-gold, wants to reach the mountaintop once more and complete his redemption arc.
“I think it’s championship or bust,” he remarked. “We’ve proven na kaya namin mag-compete with the top teams last year by making it to the Final Four. But now, I think we have to prove that we cannot just compete with them, but we can beat them as well.”
It’s a tall order for this UST team which abounds in promise, but still shows signs of vulnerability.
For one, Cabanero’s consistency remains fluctuating, that as much as the Growling Tigers lean on him for scoring, he tends to go back to his old hero-ball habits that were frankly necessary in his first three years.
Padrigao, as good of a ball distributor as he is, is just as beset with his shooting woes, as evidenced by his preseason play.
But what if they fix it? That’s what the UST faithful is pinning its hopes on.
After those two, Gelo Crisostomo is the perfect personification of letting your game do the talking, showcasing that he’s ready for primetime back in the preseason with his tireless play at the post, all while honing his offensive skills. His leap has already beamed excitement from coaches who see him following the footsteps of past great Thomasian forwards in Dylan Ababou, Kevin Ferrer, and Rhenz Abando.
Kyle Paranada remains a sure shot from distance, providing that outside scoring punch, while third-year Mark Llemit and sophomore Amiel Acido are poised for big things, as they give this Growling Tigers crew that extra gear off the bench at the wings.
“May experience na yung players as a team and we know what we need to do to compete at a higher level,” said Padrigao.
Mo Tounkara’s departure stung a bit, but UST made a quick pivot in acquiring decorated Collins Akowe - a one-time MVP and first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete in the juniors. Though still a rookie, the Nigerian big is already touted to be a cornerstone for the future, as he will get his baptism of fire manning the paint for the Growling Tigers.
His fellow newcomers are just as able, with blue-chip neophytes Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, and Carl Manding all coming in from the Tiger Cubs’ championship-winning program of coach Manu Inigo and expected to display that much-desired winning attitude.
From paper to performance
However, UST would also be the first to admit that there’s still a world of difference from those potential and expectations to cold, hard reality.
And it’s up to them to prove to everyone that they are, indeed, a legitimate championship contender – which Jarencio has repeatedly reminded them.
“China-challenge kami ni coach Pido kasi sinasabi niya wala pa kaming napapatunayan, which is totoo naman,” shared Padrigao, to which Cabanero reinforced by saying, “We’re taking it one game at a time. Hindi namin ite-take for granted lahat ng games kasi ang goal naman namin is manalo.”
READ: Host UST defends home court vs reigning champ UP in UAAP Season 88 opener
Sounds like coach Pido indeed.
By taking the spotlight away from him, Jarencio eliminated himself from being a potential external distraction, while in the process, also taking the first step in turning this team to a champion: by reiterating that no one, player or coach, is bigger than the team and that they should be seen as one cohesive unit – the UST Growling Tigers.
And if things fall into place in a season where the Royal, Pontifical, and Catholic University is serving as season host, coach Pido can smile and joke all he wants while basking in the glory of his team’s success.
But for now, let Jarencio smile and strategize in silence.
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Read up on what to expect from the other teams in UAAP Season 88 here:
ATENEO UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Welcome to the Blue Eagles as darkhorse era
NU UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Bulldogs' big picture now crystal clear
FEU UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Tamaraws enter comfort zone after 'Pre-xit'
UE UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Red Warriors giving swag with fiery Gavina in charge
ADAMSON UAAP 88 PREVIEW: These surprising Falcons just got taller and younger
LA SALLE UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Great expectations, meet Green Archers
UP UAAP 88 PREVIEW: It's Fighting Maroons against the world
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