Pido Jarencio has officially returned as head coach of University of Santo Tomas.
The school’s official student publication, The Varsitarian, broke the news on social media and posted photos of Jarencio being introduced to the Growling Tigers at the Quadricentennial Pavilion inside the UST campus on Friday.
Jarencio, who steered the Tigers to their last University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball title in 2006, replaced former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel teammate Bal David.
David, who took over the coaching reins July last year, stepped down from his post last month after a disappointing outing in Season 85.
Under his watch, the Tigers finished with a 1-13 win-loss record, worse than its three-win outing in Season 84 under Jinino Manansala.
“The University of Santo Tomas announces the appointment of Mr. Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio as head coach of the UST men’s basketball team effective 1 February 2023,” the school said in a statement.
“As coach of the Growling Tigers, he will be assisted by coach Bonnie Tan as team consultant, Mr. Waiyip Chong and Mr. Eric Ang as team managers.”
Talks of Jarencio’s return floated following David’s resignation, but the NorthPort team manager, in an interview with Daily Tribune last week, simply laughed off the speculations pending the school’s official announcement.
The 58-year-old mentor is bringing in former UST players Japs Cuan and Jeric Fortuna as part of his coaching staff along with Juven Ledesma and his son Jaren Jarencio.
Jarencio, a UST legend, is expected to bring the same magic and his signature mantra of “Puso, Pride, Palaban” to an embattled team that has lost its glitter since a runner-up finish in 2019 under coach Aldin Ayo.
Jarencio called the shots for the Tigers from 2006 to 2013, bringing them to six Final Four appearances and three championship stints.
Under his watch, UST captured the Season 69 title at the expense of powerhouse Ateneo de Manila University.
He resigned in 2013 after UST failed to reclaim the title after back-to-back Finals appearances, losing to Ateneo in 2012 and De La Salle University the following year.
