Jarencio confident UST can even UAAP Finals series

MANILA, Philippines – Former head coach Pido Jarencio has no doubt in his mind the UST Growling Tigers can win Game 2 of the UAAP Finals Saturday, November 28.

(LIVE BLOG: UAAP 2015 Finals Game 2 – UST vs FEU)

Jarencio, who gave UST its last UAAP men’s basketball title in 2006, will be on hand to watch the game as UST tries to bounce back from a 73-62 Game 1 loss to the FEU Tamaraws. He may just be the Tigers’ lucky charm. 

“Of course,” he confidently told Rappler in Filipino when asked if he believes UST still has it in them to make a comeback. “It’s not over yet, it’s only 0-1.” 

He then joked flashing his signature toothy grin: “Mananalo yan, manonood ako e (They’ll win because I’ll be watching).”

Jarencio, now head coach for Globalport in the PBA, also guided UST to consecutive UAAP Finals appearances in 2012 and 2013 – though lost in heartbreakers against Ateneo and La Salle. He moved to the PBA in 2014 after 8 seasons with UST.

The Tigers must win Game 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in order to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Wednesday, December 2. 

Jarencio shared his thoughts about the series, saying veteran center Karim Abdul certainly needs a reliever and that UST can still dig deeper into its bench.

“I think, para sa akin, kailangan gumamit pa si coach Bong (Dela Cruz) ng other players aside from the 6 or 7 players natin. Kung hindi mauubos sila Karim, especially si Karim. I think kailangan natin gumamit ng one or two bigs na makaka-relieve kay Karim,” explained Jarencio, noting third year center Jeepy Faundo can provide much-needed help.

(I think, for me, coach Bong needs to use other players aside from the 6 or 7 players used. If not they will all be used up, especially Karim. I think we need to use one or two bigs to relieve Karim.)

(READ: Karim Abdul ready for heavy load again in UAAP Finals Game 2)

Abdul huffed and puffed his way to 36 minutes of play in Game 1 with 19 points and 9 rebounds. He and MVP runner-up Kevin Ferrer were the only Tigers in double figures as UST struggled to match the deeper Tamaraws bench. 

Jarencio hopes to see a more relaxed Ed Daquioag in Game 2 instead of the stiff version of him in Game 1 where the athletic guard had just 4 points and a single field goal. 

“I think he’s too tight,” he said. “He needs to play his usual relaxed game, like he’s enjoying the game, which he has been doing the whole eliminations.”

The Tigers, which finished as the top seed this season, are searching for their 19th men’s basketball title. UST was also down 0-1 in the 2006 series against Ateneo before climbing back to win. 

“Siyempre, championship yan e. Hindi naman ganoon kadali lahat yan (Of course it’s the championship already. Nothing will come easy),” said Jarencio. “Hindi pa tapos (It’s not over yet).” – Rappler.com