There have been plenty of rumors circulating about who would take the place of Boy Sablan as chief tactician of the once-proud University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers. Names like Aldin Ayo, Bal David, and Bonnie Tan have been floated around the grapevines.
However, an underlying question remains: Who will boost the program when it comes to signing the high profile names being thrown around and recruit student-athletes to the program?
San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua disclosed that he has been closely monitoring the Growling Tigers’ struggles over the past two years, in which they ended up with just four wins after 28 tries.
“Masakit eh,” shared Chua, a former UST Glowing Goldie.
Chua disclosed that some of the school’s brass have already approached him in the past if he could pledge funds to support the program. However, the talks have been inconsistent.
“Actually when they talked to me, I told them sige bibigay ako ng ganito ganyan ganyan, and then na-cancel yun. Natigil yung usapan,” Ginebra’s team governor recalled, “And I think like middle of the UAAP Season, when UST was 0-10, or 0-11, kinausap nila ako, tinanong nila ako. I said we’ll see kung paano, sino muna yung coach na kukuhanin nila and sino yung mga players plus recruitment because I really don’t know kung saan ang recruitment eh.
“From La Salle to Ateneo, alam ko kung sino mga nagre-recruit dun ano, sa alma mater ko wala.”
The former PBA coach added that he is willing to fund the program himself, or ask San Miguel to help rebuild the team just like what SMC chairman Danding Cojuangco is doing with the De La Salle University Green Archers. All he just needs is to be shown a blueprint of what’s in the pipeline for the program.
“Personal or from San Miguel. My boss Ramon Ang, if I talk to him to help my alma mater, he’ll help for sure. Mabait naman yung boss ko basta sports lahat tinutulungan,” Chua furthered. “Mabilis naman ang tulong basta makita lang natin yung plataporma, ano mga kailangan natin gawin hindi yung palakasin natin ang team. Bakit? Anong kulang? Anong kailangan? Gusto ko lang makakita nung plan, what’s the plan?
“As of now parang we’re all blinded.”
And if the talks continue to simmer, Chua is calling on all capable UST products to join hands in giving the program a lifeline.
“Kailangan umpisahan na nila ngayon, they have to start it right now. Actually after nung UAAP kailanan nag-start na sila eh kasi hindi na biro yun. Sana naman maayos natin kaagad,” Chua pleaded. “Again, I’m gonna repeat it. I’m willing to help. Kahit ano, kung ano maitutulong natin maibalik lang yung, ‘Go USTe!’ Ngayon wala ng sumisigaw eh.
“Wala ng sumisigaw ng ‘Go USTe!’ Go home na!”
