Pido Jarencio, UST still courting support Alfrancis Chua’s support

Celebratory dinner attended by new UST coaching staff led by Pido Jarencio, school officials and SMC Sports director Alfrancis Chua. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Newly signed University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio is hoping to land the support of San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua to bolster the Growling Tigers after a forgettable Season 85 in the UAAP.

Jarencio personally invited the notable name to a “celebratory dinner” that also included UST’s Fr. Rector, Richard Ang and the school’s athletic director, Fr. Ronald Cansancio, O.P.

Despite having Chua in said luncheon, Jarencio  said nothing is finalized yet as of writing.

“We are hoping that we can have him over here. All of us here only want the same thing and that’s to help elevate UST,” told the former Northport head coach.

Newly-minted Growling Tigers’ team manager Waiyip Chong, who also played a pivotal role in Letran’s three-peat run in the NCAA, also reiterated that they are still in the process of convincing Chua and SMC to give their guidance in the basketball program.

“We are still convincing Al. Nothing is final yet but it will be such a huge thing if he agrees to help here,” Chong said in Filipino.

Contrary to earlier reports, Chong clarified that they are looking to land Chua as a Special Assistant to the Rector for Basketball and not the backing of SMC as a whole.

Chua, Chong and now-team consultant Bonnie Tan chimed in on collective efforts in SMC’s helping years for the Knights.

Jarencio, the last coach to have brought UST a UAAP title, inked a three-year deal to coach again the UST team which only won one game last season in the UAAP.

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