As the clock struck midnight on Valentine’s Day, the wish of Thomasians all over the world came true.
After years of heartbreak and pleas for one of their sons to come back home, San Miguel Corporation has pledged to back University of Santo Tomas’ men’s basketball team.
And with it, Alfrancis Chua, a former Goldie, will be the one leading the way after being named as the school’s Special Assistant to the Rector (Fr. Richard Ang, OP) for basketball.
The Varsitarian made the announcement late Monday evening.
The reported appointment of Chua came hours after Pido Jarencio officially signed a three-year deal with the school.
Chua was not able to attend the presentation of Jarencio to the Dominican priests on Monday afternoon due to a prior commitment (PBA Esports Draft).
(C) Fr. Rodal Cansancio, OP
But he made up for it later in the evening in a closed-door meeting that was attended by Jarencio’s staff, UST-Institute of Physical Education and Athletics head Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP, and team boosters Ryan David Roxas and Atty. Dean Divina.
“Marami tayong kailangang ayusin, pero importante sa atin na nagtitiwala yung mga bata sa sistema na inilalatag natin para sa kanila,” said Jarencio.
The UST community had long sought this partnership, especially after seeing the success SMC brought to its sister school Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
During the off-season of UAAP Season 81, calls were made to bring then-Northport head coach Jarencio back to UST after a disastrous campaign by Boy Sablan.
However, the two sides could not come to a meeting of the minds and the school opted to sign Aldin Ayo, who brought the Growling Tigers to the UAAP Season 82 Finals.
However, Ayo was banned from the UAAP after allegedly holding a bubble.
Ayo’s successor Jinino Manansala could only bring in three wins while Bal David only got one win.
Over in Intramuros, Chua, who was then Letran’s Special Assistant to the Rector (Fr. Clarence Marquez, OP) for sports development, and his chosen head coach Bonnie Tan would steer the Knights to three straight championships from NCAA Seasons 95-98.
After David resigned last month, Jarencio, who is also the team manager of Northport, was brought back in.
And he brought the entire “Super Friends” crew with him.
UST’s staff includes some of Chua’s close pals, including Jarencio (head coach), Bonnie Tan (consultant), and Waiyip Chong (team manager).
In the NCAA, they were the kings of the jungle. Now, they will enter the shark tank which is the UAAP.
