By Rickie Santos
UAAP Seasons 83 to 86 were campaigns to forget for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers men’s basketball team.
Sorsogon bubble brouhaha happened in the third quarter of 2020. The Tigers’ big names said sayonara to UST and coach Aldin Ayo resigned. Then came the COVID-19 global pandemic that shut sports and cancelled UAAP Season 83.
After a year, UAAP was back. However, UST just couldn’t reclaim its usual place among the favorites. There just was no swag in how the Tigers moved on the hardcourt. All in all in the next three UAAP seasons, they submitted a woeful 6-36 record.
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But many now see the light at the tunnel’s end.
Current head coach Pido Jarencio piloted the Tigers to only two wins in UAAP86 but UST followers were not a bit worried. They know Pido has big-time backers. And that happy days are coming for the España throng.
On July 18, 2023, UST officials formally received San Miguel Corp.’s support for the Growling Tigers and named SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua as a special assistant to the rector for sports.
Not too long after, there were reports about blue-chip recruits from both here and abroad queueing in the España hoophouse.
But now with only three months left before UAAP87 opens, the teams are in high mode in preparations.
Let’s look at the coaches. Coach Jarencio is in full control. There were questions by netizens saying that Pido is an old-school coach and the scientific basketball coaching is a must nowadays. But we must not forget about some things. One, Jarencio is a campus hero. Everyone remembers classic Pido’s duels against Allan Caidic of University of the East in the 80s. Two, players enjoy playing for coach Jarencio.
Taking care of the worries and the whispers about the lacking of scientific coaching style, Juno Sauler was brought in to be his deputy. Sauler is a four-time UAAP champion coach for De La Salle, once for men’s basketball and thrice for women’s. Oops, more helping hands from team consultant Bonnie Tan, three-time champion in the NCAA with Letran.
Now to the players.
Taking the backcourt chores are UST newcomers Forthsky Padrigao and Kyle Paranada. Both are tested. Padrigao was a member of UAAP85 Mythical Five before he left Ateneo. Paranada was a prime playmaker in his days at University of the East.
Helping the guard pool are Geremy Robinson, Isaac Danting and Leland Estacio while sharpshooter Nic Cabañero still banners the wings. NCAA Jrs MVP Amiel Acido is a real talent and coach Jarencio said Acido will be part of the team’s regular rotation.
Wide-bodied 6-6 former Batang Gilas Zayn Mahmoud and one and done 6-4 Chase Lane should be impact players for the Tigers.
No word yet on who will get the Foreign Student Athlete slot in UAAP87 – Peter Osang or Mohamed Tounkara. Both are mobile and can shoot but not as tall as the other FSAs.
In the ongoing FilOil EcoOil ECJ Preseason Cup, UST narrowly lost to both De La Salle University and University of the Philippines. After those games, many said the Tigers were ready to take on the UAAP big boys.
Back on the hardcourt, UST downed National University and Ateneo. The next time up though, UE beat UST. It’s been a roller coaster ride for the Goldies.
Their calendars will continue to be busy even after the ongoing preseason wars.
“Aside from the FilOil preseason league, we received an invitation for a short tournament in Ormoc,” said Bonnie Tan “The team also has a two-week training camp in Korea and we will compete against KBL teams.”
UAAP darkhorse?
There are talks in basketball circles that UST may be the darkhorse.
But ever-humble Tan quipped, “Even though we have improved our lineup from last year, I still consider UST an underdog team this coming UAAP season.”
Okay, take away the darkhorse label for the Tigers. But remember, they’re growling. It just means these guys are hungry, and so are their backers.
With all the pieces in the UST jigsaw puzzle now complete, woeful losing records should be things of the past. Now is the time to return to Final Four.
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