Pido looks to write a ‘new story’ with UST’s return to the Final Four

MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio is focused on writing a new story for the Growling Tigers in the upcoming UAAP Season 87 Final Four.

After Saturday night’s 75-49 win over third-seeded Adamson at San Juan Arena, Jarencio was ecstatic about the Tigers’ accomplishment in making the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

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Five years is a long time, and while it’s nice to remember the past, Jarencio said it’s time to build a story of their own that’s completely different from UST’s underdog story in 2019.

Read: UAAP: UST Tigers – no longer a buzz-cut sport – are buzzing

“I wasn’t a coach at the time, but at that moment in 2019, when Lenzo Subido made the winning 3-point shot, Gawa tayo ng Bagong istorya (Let’s create a new story),” said Jarencio. Said.

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“Let’s take a look at it because we are the ones who will create the new story. This is our moment, so let’s create our own story. We have different players now and UP has There are stronger players now, but I have confidence in my players.”

UST Growling Tigers against the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament. –Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net

The league has changed a lot in the five years since Season 82, when UST was under coach Aldin Ayo, but one thing has remained consistent. That means that the Fighting Maroons have always been the favorites to this day.

Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers faced more adversity than they could count on two hands.

Read: UAAP: UST wins again with ‘do-or-die’ approach

Two years after the former North Port coach took back the Espana coaching post, UST has finally returned to the playoffs in a more competitive arena, where Jarencio himself is feeling the pressure.

“I feel pressure on myself because the last time I made it to the Final Four was in 2013. I thought this might be my chance to go back…I used to only get five hours of sleep. Last night I slept 10 hours,” Jarencio joked.

In 2019, UST had perennial MVP and Rookie of the Year candidates in Sulemane Chaviyo and Mark Nonoy, respectively.

Schedule: UAAP Season 87 Basketball

In 2024, the Growling Tigers focused more on team play than hero ball, spotlighting almost everyone in the lineup.

Your circumstances may be different, but one thing remains the same. UP still has a two-win advantage over UST going into the Final Four.

In 2019, UST overcame its disadvantages and UP to match it. In 2024, Gialencio wants to do it again in a “David and Goliath” setting.

“This is a good stepping stone for us. We’re starting now, but we just have to be patient because our goal is to make the playoffs, so we’ll get to work right away and get into the game on how to beat UP.” We’re going to come up with a plan,” Jarencio said.

“It’s going to be like David and Goliath, it’s going to be a good fight.”