Regardless of what happens to University of Santo Tomas’ title defense in the upcoming UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament, head coach Manu Inigo and his staff are set to remain with the Tiger Cubs for the foreseeable future.
Approaching the final year of his three-year contract, sources close to the program revealed that Inigo is expected to receive a well-deserved extension to continue leading UST’s high school basketball programs.
While the terms of the contract are still being finalized with UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Director and UAAP Season 88 President Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., the multi-titled mentor confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times on Thursday evening.
“Well, of course, very happy and blessed kami kasi it means that UST, Father Rodel [Cansancio] believes and supports our system and program,” Inigo told Tiebreaker Times in a phone interview.
After a sudden exit from San Beda in October 2022, Inigo, alongside longtime ally Jarvis Co and assistant coaches Andy and Noli Mejos and VL Sandalo, received a fresh start at Espana with a three-year deal to coach a Tiger Cubs squad—a team that had struggled to make a mark in the UAAP high school basketball scene.
Taking over from Jinino Manansala, Inigo’s first season showed promise as he guided the Tiger Cubs to a fourth-place finish with an 8-6 record.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In just his second year, he delivered glory back to the Espana-based program.
With the help of San Beda recruits Wacky Ludovice and Kirk Canete, alongside Racine Kane, Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, and Carl Manding, Inigo led UST to the Season 87 championship—ending a 24-year title drought and securing the program’s first UAAP boys’ basketball crown since Season 64 (2001).
For Inigo, securing a contract extension before the start of the tournament is a timely boost for a Tiger Cubs side that saw three of its prized recruits—Ruzzel Del Poso, Aiden Tolentino, and Benedick Jimenez—deemed ineligible for Season 88.
“This just motivated my staff and me to do better and give our best in return for the trust UST gave us. We are happy here, and we want to give back to them,” Inigo said.
“Wala naman pressure kasi lahat naman ng liga, or kung saan ‘man kami nagco-coach, kasama ang pressure. Nakakapagdeliver naman kami and in-eenjoy lang namin kung ano yung binibigay sa amin.”
UST will open its title defense against Far Eastern University this Sunday at 12 p.m. at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
