Needing to rebuild, University of Santo Tomas is not looking far to help the Growling Tigers get back on it feet.
Sources closely monitoring the situation have told Tiebreaker Times that UST is looking to tap both Chris Cantonjos and Estong Ballesteros as the coaches of the Growling Tigers.
“Isa sa kanila will be the head coach while the other will be the active consultant. Technicalities na lang ‘yun. Ang imporante is maging running pa rin ‘yung programa,” said one of the sources, who requested anonymity.
The Institute of Physical Education and Athletics have already told the Growling Tigers of the development as well as it might help in preventing another exodus.
Both Cantonjos and Ballesteros are not strangers to UST.
Cantonjos, who was the UAAP Season 58 MVP, helped UST in winning the championships from Seasons 56-58.
He was also the head coach of the Growling Tigresses from 2010-2016. When Haydee Ong took over, Cantonjos went on to coach the Tiger Cubs from 2016-17.
Ballesteros, on the other hand, was part of the Season 58 and 59 champion teams of UST.
Ballesteros was part of Pido Jarencio’s staff from 2008 to 2013.
He would coach University of the East’s Boys’ basketball team last season before leaving midway through the season.
Cantonjos and Ballesteros will have the tough task of building order in UST as it is in the midst of a crisis.
The school is under investigation for the training camp held in Capoy, Sorsogon from June to August.
In the wake of this, IPEA director Fr. Jannel Abogado, OP, head coach Aldin Ayo, assistant coaches McJour Luib, and Tiger Cubs head coach Jinino Manansala have all resigned.
Key players Rhenz Abando, CJ Cansino, Brent Paraiso, and Ira Bataller have also left the Tigers’ lair.
The Growling Tigers is coming off a second place finish in the UAAP Season 82 tourney.
