UAAP: Pido Jarencio-built UST squad ‘ready’ for Season 89

UST Growling Tigers coach Pido Jarencio during the UAAP Season 89 press conference.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Pido Jarencio is entering the fourth year of his second tour of duty at the helm of the University of Santo Tomas.

The upcoming Season 89, however, marks the first time Jarencio will be guiding a UST squad that features a roster built entirely through his personal recruitment.

“This is my fourth year back in UST. In my first years, we’re still finding our way because some of those weren’t my players,” said Jarencio.

“This team, akin na ‘to (this is mine now). We don’t have the previous players anymore, so this team that we built is mine now.”

Whether that translates to a successful campaign, only time will tell.

UST will enter Season 89 with Jarencio’s recruits and holdovers Mark Llemit, Amiel Acido, Gelo Crisostomo and last season’s Rookie of the Year Collins Akowe. Among the squad’s key losses after Season 88 were Nic Cabañero, Forthsky Padrigao and Kyle Paranada.

The veteran tactician will also have the services of young guns Koji Buenaflor, Isaac Danting, Charles Bucsit and one-and-done swingman Landyn Jumawan.

It took a hard path and a long while for Jarencio to have a team that he can call his own.

“Unlike before when it was easy, it’s hard to build a team now. You have to build a team from zero or from scratch.”

“We can’t say what’ll happen to us, but for us, we’re ready.”

UST, which has yet to win another men’s basketball crown since 2006 during Jarencio’s first tenure, opens its campaign against Season 89 finalist University of the Philippines on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum at 6 p.m.