A SELFLESS man and a caring father figure.
That's how NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio remembered Aric del Rosario, the legendary University of Santo Tomas mentor passed away on Thursday.
"He was a good man and he's like a father to me," said Jarencio, himself a revered figure in Espana for his exploits both as a player and coach.
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Although Jarencio wasn't able to win a UAAP title in his playing years in Espana, "The Fireman" did get a chance to be mentored by del Rosario in his final season with the then-Golden Goldies.
"He was part of my success as a player," said Jarencio.
Their paths crossed anew in the pros, with Jarencio as a player and del Rosario working as an assistant coach in the PBA, most notably under Tim Cone in Alaska.
When Jarencio got the nod to take the helm for UST in 2006, del Rosario has always been one to willingly share his knowledge to the team.
"He's also an invaluable presence to me as a coach," said Jarencio, who led the Growling Tigers to their first UAAP championship since the Aric era in 2006.
That cooperation continued even when del Rosario was hired to coach Perpetual, with the two schools usually holding tuneup games in the leadup to their respective seasons.
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To Jarencio, it's that selflessness, on top of his undying love for his alma mater, that will always be the biggest lesson he ever learned from del Rosario.
"Malaking bagay kay coach Aric 'yung pride, pero lagi niyang sinasabi to stay humble. Yan ang pinakatumatak sa akin na hanggang ngayon dala ko pa rin," he said.
Source: Spin PH
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