When Pido Jarencio was introduced as head coach of University of Santo Tomas, he was clad in World Balance gear — not the Anta-brand that marked the shortlived Bal David-era of the Growling Tigers.
And he will be bringing the big guns with him on his return to the school after nine years.
Jarencio has tapped close friend and champion head coach Bonnie Tan to his staff as team consultant.
Tan, a former Growling Tiger, won three-straight championships with Colegio de San Juan de Letran and is currently the head coach of Northport.
“It’s a huge honor and a privilege to be back and serve my alma mater,” Tan told Tiebreaker Times.
“Sana makatulong sa team yung championship experience na nakuha ko sa NCAA.”
Tasked to manage the team are Waiyip Chong and Eric Ang.
Chong is currently the assistant team manager of Northport and team manager of Letran. He has also a wealth of experience in both basketball and esports. Ang, meanwhile, was also one of the managers of Letran.
The assistant coaches brought in by Jarencio are Japs Cuan, Jeric Fortuna, Jaren Jarencio, and Juven Ledesma.
Cuan and Fortuna were the point guards of Jarencio during his run with the Growling Tigers from the mid-2000s to the early 2010s. Cuan is currently the head coach of Xavier School’s high school basketball team.
Jaren, meanwhile, is the son of Pido and will be the team’s analytics coach.
Ledesma, on the other hand, is making his return to the school after being an assistant to Boy Sablan. He is an assistant coach in Xavier.
This staff will look to lift UST back to prominence after finishing dead last in UAAP Season 85.
