MANILA — Seeking continuity after a steady return to relevance, the University of Santo Tomas is moving to retain Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio as head coach of the Growling Tigers, with school officials and longtime patron San Miguel Corp. finalizing a new two-year contract extension.
According to a report by the school publication The Varsitarian, UST and San Miguel Corp. are in the final stages of discussions that will keep Jarencio at the helm beyond the expiration of his initial three-year deal. The parties are expected to meet in the second week of January to formalize the agreement and chart the program’s direction moving forward.
San Miguel Corp. stepped in as UST’s principal backer in 2023 after the Tigers suffered consecutive last-place finishes in the UAAP, signaling a renewed institutional push to rebuild the once-proud basketball program. The partnership also brought in SMC sports director and UST alumnus Alfrancis Chua as special assistant to the rector for sports, strengthening administrative and technical support for the team.
Under Jarencio’s watch, UST has re-entered the UAAP competitive picture, reaching the Final Four in back-to-back seasons. The Tigers’ revival was anchored by the strong play of Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao, who figured prominently in the team’s deep tournament runs.
Jarencio, who previously steered UST to the 2006 UAAP men’s basketball championship, has posted a 17–27 record in his current stint. Despite the modest numbers, school officials have expressed confidence in the long-term trajectory of the program under his leadership.
The Capiz-native mentor is now expected to oversee a transition phase as UST prepares to hand bigger roles to a new core led by Kurt Laput, Kris Porter, James Jumao-as, Mur Alao, and Michael Mara following the departure of key veterans.
Holdovers Mark Llemit, Amiel Acido, Gelo Cirsosotomo, and foreign student-athlete Collins Akowe are also set to remain central to Jarencio’s plans after showing promise during UAAP Season 88, as the Tigers aim to translate stability into sustained contention in the coming years./PN
