Talks of Pido Jarencio returning as head coach of University of Santo Tomas men’s basketball team once again floated following the sudden resignation of Bal David after just one season of service.
David on Thursday, 26 January, stepped down as tactician of the embattled Tigers after a disappointing one-win outing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85.
[Related news: Bal David resigns as UST coach]
Jarencio, who steered UST to its last UAAP crown back in 2006, was recently replaced by Bonnie Tan as coach of NorthPort in the Philippine Basketball Association, fueling speculations that he could be heading back to España to take over the school’s basketball program.
But the 58-year-old mentor, who now holds the position of team manager of the Batang Pier, took the talks of his collegiate return stint with his usual humor.
“Mga Marites pa lang ‘yan. Fake news pa lang pero malay mo magka-good news,” Jarencio told Daily Tribune on Friday, 27 January.
He said no one from the UST management contacted him yet about the position vacated by his former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel teammate.
“I have not received any call about that. No news yet,” Jarencio said in Filipino. “I can’t answer right now if they’re interested in having me back.”
“My name’s always being mentioned every time there’s news of coaching changes in UST. Let’s see. You know me, I’m the one answering whenever there’s a problem.”
Jarencio called the shots for the Tigers from 2006 to 2013.
Under his watch, UST captured the Season 69 title at the expense of Ateneo de Manila University. He resigned in 2013 after UST failed to reclaim the title after back-to-back Finals appearances, losing to Ateneo de Manila University in 2012 and De La Salle University the following year.
Jarencio was replaced by Bong Dela Cruz.
UST returned to the Finals in 2019 under head coach Aldin Ayo but fell short against the mighty Blue Eagles.
Jinino Manansala took over in Season 84 last year but the Tigers only managed to win three games in 14 outings.
It became worse under David with just a 1-13 win-loss record.
