University of Santo Tomas head coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio assured that the Growling Tigers will be more competitive in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament slated for this September.
According to the returning Growling Tigers mentor, the team’s preparation is on the right track, but he tempered the expectation of the Thomasian community if the team can go all the way.
“Medyo work in progress,” Jarencio said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk on Monday night. “Yung preparation, we are on track; maganda ang preparation namin.”
“Pero, for sure, pagpapawisan sila lahat sa amin this season,” added Jarencio, referring to their UAAP men’s basketball opponents. “Ayaw kong nangangako, basta one game at a time lang kami, ilang panalo, ilang talo, kung saan kami mapunta ng record namin.”
Jarencio also said that the Growling Tigers opted not to participate in pre-season tournaments as the team is in the process of fixing the system and making the players comfortable playing with each other.
“Hindi kami sumali sa mga pre-season, inayos kasi namin ‘yung system namin eh, ‘yung maging in place, maging kumportable ang mga players and each and every one,” Jarencio said.
“Expected naman talaga lahat ng team malakas eh, pero sabi nga ni boss Al (Alfrancis Chua), ang basketball limahan lang. Five on five lang ang labanan eh, so kami okay lang basta kami tuloy lang ang turo namin sa mga players. Lalaban itong mga bata na ito,” he added.
The Growling Tigers are aiming to bounce back from their last-place finish (1-13 win-loss slate) in UAAP Season 85 last year under then-head coach Bal David.
