Letran champion-pedigree tacticians, former Growling Tigers lead Jarencio’s coaching staff
In a Facebook post, the University’s Institute of Physical Education and Athletics officially confirmed the appointment of Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio as head coach of the men’s basketball program.
The post also included that Jarencio will be assisted by Letran and Northport lead tactician Bonnie Tan as a consultant, and Waiyip Chong and Eric Ang as managers.
According to a source from Spin.ph, Jarencio has tapped former UST players Japs Cuan and Jeric Fortuna, along with Juven Ledesma and his son Jaren Jarencio as the team’s assistant coaches.
Tan was the one who took the head-coaching job at Northport in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup, which allowed Jarencio to become team manager and take on a college coaching position at UST.
The return of Coach Pido started as early as last year as there were negotiations between UST officials and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) on a partnership for the school’s basketball team.
It did not materialize as Bal David became head coach for this season, who resigned just last week.
Source insiders from Spin.ph are confident the involvement of SMC will eventually come through the company’s sports director Alfrancis Chua, a former player of the Tigers.
Finally back in Espana, Coach Pido will look to steer the Tigers to a better performance as former coach David led them to a single-win season.
The last time the Tigers won a championship was in 2006 and Jarencio was in his first year of coaching in the UAAP.
He coached UST until 2013 and reached the Finals thrice. In those years, the team missed the Final Four stage just in 2008 and 2010. — Joie Frances Timbas
