University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers head coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio remains optimistic about the team’s future, believing they will come back stronger next year after their UAAP Season 87 Final Four loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Jarencio noted that the semifinal experience was unfamiliar territory for most of his players, as the Growling Tigers had finished in the bottom four of the standings over the past three seasons.
“Charged to experience kasi, sa totoo lang, wala pang naglaro sa Final Four dun sa team ko kundi si Forthsky (Padrigao) lang, (dun sa iba) parang bago sa kanila ‘yan (Final Four), eh,” Jarencio said in a post-game interview.
“Siguro basta ready lang namin ‘yung mga players namin for next year, mas matibay na tayo next year kasi may mga narecruit na kaming players, eh,” added the one-time UAAP champion coach.
Jarencio will retain most of his lineup for UAAP Season 88, with only Christian Manaytay, Miguel Pangilinan, and one-and-done guard Chase Lane set to graduate.
Among his incoming recruits are former De La Salle Green Archers Mur Alao and Emman Galman, as well as Michael Mara from the College of St. Benilde Blazers.
Jarencio expressed satisfaction with the Growling Tigers’ performance against the Fighting Maroons and hopes the team can build on the lessons learned for the upcoming season.
“We gave them (UP) a great game; natutuwa lang ako lumaban naman ‘yung mga bata eh, basta importante ayos naman ‘yung nilaro ng mga bata,” Jarencio said. “Actually, maganda ‘yung practice namin, sharp kami, nandyan na rin naman eh.”
“Let’s give it to UP, ang ganda ng nilaro nila, ‘yung experience nila na every year nasa championship sila, nasa playoffs sila. Ma-apply lang namin ‘yan sa team namin, magka experience kami, magiging natural na sa lahat ng players namin,” he added.
The post UST coach Pido Jarencio: ‘Mas matibay na tayo next year’ first appeared on Fastbreak.
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