University of Santo Tomas ended its UAAP Season 85 boys’ basketball tournament campaign with a gallant fourth place finish.
And with it, the days of Jinino Manansala as head coach of the Tiger Cubs will wind down.
“Wala naman nag-expect sa amin dito pero ako, nagtiwala lang kami na kaya naming makapasok pero proud pa rin kami,” said Manansala moments after their 55-62 defeat at the hands of top seed Adamson on Tuesday.
“Move on na kami to the next tournament kung meron pa.”
Manansala will still coach the Tiger Cubs in the upcoming UAAP high school 3×3 tournament and, as well as, the forthcoming SMART-NBTC National Finals.
With the UAAP Boys’ Basketball Finals still ongoing by the NBTC tournament, the UAAP will send the third and fourth-placed teams to the nationals.
After that, Manansala will be an assistant to the ‘next group’ that will take over the Tiger Cubs.
“Tapos na yung kontrata ko sa UST at may new group na na papasok. As a Thomasian, kung nasundan niyo yung journey namin, hindi ako aalis dito hangga’t paalisin nila ako. Ang good thing is ni-retain nila ako,” expressed Manansala.
According to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation, former San Beda Red Cubs head coach Manu Inigo will take over the program. Retained will be Manansala, Jinino’s brother, and another assistant coach.
Inigo steered the Red Cubs to the NCAA Season 95 title.
Manansala has been the glue that kept both UST’s men’s and boys’ basketball programs together after a trying three years.
When Aldin Ayo was removed as the Growling Tigers head coach in 2020, he was the one who took over the program back for UAAP Season 84.
Though he only tallied a 3-11 record in 5-on-5 basketball, he would steer UST to gold in the 3×3 tournament.
Bal David would take over afterward with Manansala handling the juniors program.
“Pandemic, hindi pa kami nagsama dahil bawal pa rin nun e. Dumating sila nung August lang para sa preseason tournament. Ang hirap rin mahanap yung tamang kombinasyon. Sa dulo na lang bago yung UAAP, nag-decide na kami na kung sino dito, sino doon. Nagulat na lang ako na yung gusto ko, nagawa nila. Nung una wala talaga. Pa-peak pa lang kami ngayon e,” he shared.
“Sayang. Swerte ang mga to sa next na pupuntahan nila.”
Some graduating Cubs are Mark Llemit, JP Pangilinan, and James Jumao-as. And he hopes that the three remain in UST while their juniors also stay with the program.
“Simula pa lang, sinabi ko sa kanila, huwag kayong aalis ng UST.”
