Post by LJ on Jul 8, 2006 9:30:25 GMT -5
Never-say-die spirit in UST?
By Josef Ramos
Acquiring a head coach who was part of a popular never-say-die team in the pro league before, University of Santo Tomas expects to become a hard-fighting team in the coming 69th Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball.
Alfredo "Pido" Jarencio, a player of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the late 90's, was tapped earlier to coach his former school and task to end the Growling Tigers' frustration for not reaching the Final Four for three years.
Jarencio, who played 16 years in PBA, said he is willing to turn the Growling Tigers to a potent running team and strengthen their inside plays, but it won't be easy for the former PBA fireman because he only accepted the coaching job last March.
"It is too hard for me to expect because we have a few months preparation, but I know our team will go up," said Jarencio, adding that he is presently intensifying the weight programs of the team.
"They are very soft and that's not better, so I provided them a weight program. Aside, I want to see a good running team," added Jarencio. "I'm just hoping to see an improvement after a lackluster campaign last season."
The last three seasons were unremarkable for Santo Tomas, as it failed to reach the Final Four with losing records. The Tigers' last stint in the semis was in 2002, where it lost to De La Salle University.
The Growling Tigers will be missing three key players this season, as Danilo Pribhdas, Christian Luanzon and Warren de Guzman have completed their eligibility.
But shooter Jemal Vizcarra is back in the yellow-and-gold uniform after sitting out last season reportedly owing to a disagreement with the previous coaching staff.
The 6-foot-2 guard will be the new leader of the team along with forward Allan Evangelista who, like Vizcarra, will be playing his final year in the tournament.
Jarencio brought in three rookies in Melchor Gile, a 21-year-old 6-foot-4 Filipino-Australian center; guard AC Marquez from La Salle-Greenhills; and Jervy Cruz, a member of the Philippine Youth team
By Josef Ramos
Acquiring a head coach who was part of a popular never-say-die team in the pro league before, University of Santo Tomas expects to become a hard-fighting team in the coming 69th Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball.
Alfredo "Pido" Jarencio, a player of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the late 90's, was tapped earlier to coach his former school and task to end the Growling Tigers' frustration for not reaching the Final Four for three years.
Jarencio, who played 16 years in PBA, said he is willing to turn the Growling Tigers to a potent running team and strengthen their inside plays, but it won't be easy for the former PBA fireman because he only accepted the coaching job last March.
"It is too hard for me to expect because we have a few months preparation, but I know our team will go up," said Jarencio, adding that he is presently intensifying the weight programs of the team.
"They are very soft and that's not better, so I provided them a weight program. Aside, I want to see a good running team," added Jarencio. "I'm just hoping to see an improvement after a lackluster campaign last season."
The last three seasons were unremarkable for Santo Tomas, as it failed to reach the Final Four with losing records. The Tigers' last stint in the semis was in 2002, where it lost to De La Salle University.
The Growling Tigers will be missing three key players this season, as Danilo Pribhdas, Christian Luanzon and Warren de Guzman have completed their eligibility.
But shooter Jemal Vizcarra is back in the yellow-and-gold uniform after sitting out last season reportedly owing to a disagreement with the previous coaching staff.
The 6-foot-2 guard will be the new leader of the team along with forward Allan Evangelista who, like Vizcarra, will be playing his final year in the tournament.
Jarencio brought in three rookies in Melchor Gile, a 21-year-old 6-foot-4 Filipino-Australian center; guard AC Marquez from La Salle-Greenhills; and Jervy Cruz, a member of the Philippine Youth team
