After months of doubt, speculation, and rumors, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers have finally found the one who will lead them in their UAAP Season 79 campaign.
Blackwater assistant coach and UST alumnus Boy Sablan has been officially tapped by the 405-year-old institution as the head coach of its Men’s Basketball team Tuesday afternoon. Moreover, he will start the team’s practices starting Wednesday, June 1.
“Yes, it’s official na,” Sablan told Tiebreaker Times. “Kakapirma ko pa nga lang a few minutes ago.”
Sablan played for the Glowing Goldies back in the mid-1980’s together with Pido Jarencio. Both men then returned to their alma mater in 2006 with Jarencio as head coach and Sablan as assistant. He was part of the staff that won UST’s 2006 Men’s Basketball crown.
“Seven years ako sa UST before I left in 2012,” he reflected.
The mentor is also credited with the recruitment of former NCAA Juniors MVP Louis Vigil and Jan Sheriff. However, he left the Growling Tigers staff in 2012 and pursued a career as assistant coach of the Blackwater Elite.
After four years, the 52-year-old returns to UST. With Vigil declared ineligible, he stated that he is unfamiliar with the current composition of the team.
“Friday pa lang wala na sa team si Louis,” he said. “Naglaro pa siya sa Milcu Got Skills team namin pero umalis na siya last week after nung UAAP ruling.”
He then admitted that the only player he is familiar with is Kent Lao. “Si Kent Lao na lang ang pinaka veteran namin sa team,” he shared. “Siyempre kilala ko sila Marvin Lee, Renzo Subido, si (Mario) Bonleon kasi napapanood ko lang sila pero hindi ko pa nakikita maglaro.”
“Inintroduce pa lang kasi ako sa mga players kanina.”
Sablan’s full staff will include Patrick Fran, Rabbi Tomacruz, Juben Ledesma, Gina Francisco, Tylon Darjuan, and John Aquino as conditioning coach.
UST will formally introduce Sablan to the public on Thursday, June 2.
