After the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ heartbreaking loss to the defending champions, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 82-81, in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, UST head coach Pido Jarencio’s future with the team remained in limbo.

 As the season of the Growling Tigers ended, so did the contract of Jarencio. He led the Growling Tigers to two third-place finishes after a disappointing 2-12 in his first year with the team.

“Di ko na alam. Di pa namin alam kung ano mangyayari sa amin, kung kami pa rin o hindi na. Ok naman ako, e. Kung wala na, edi pumalit ‘yung iba, ‘yung nang-aaswang sa amin,” he said with a humor.

“Ganun lang naman ‘yun, e. Pero kami, ‘yung tama ginawa namin. Wala kaming maling ginawa. Maayos. ‘Yung patay, binuhay namin, ‘di ba? In two years’ time, Final Four at third place.”

In what could have been his last game as head coach of the Growling Tigers, Jarencio held his head up high as his team made their best effort to win the game.

“Breaks of the game na lang, e. Si Nic (Cabañero), binigay ko na sa senior player ‘yung last two plays. ‘Yung una kay Nic, open na open, pwedeng tawagan ng goaltending, pwede tawagan ng block,” he said.

“Walang tinawag, e. Second, kay Nic pa rin. Breaks of the game. ‘Yun na lang ‘yun, we did our best. Basta ako, nagpapasalamat ako sa community, ‘yung dating nila, ‘yung suporta nila. ‘Yun lang naman sa akin. Basta kami, ‘di kami nagkulang. Pinasaya namin lahat.”

Regardless of their future, Jarencio believed he would leave UST in a better position than when they entered Season 86.

“Tibay pa rin tayo. Meron kaming players na ni-recruit na ready na. Mga 5’2 pero ‘yung kamay pang seven-footer. May seven-footer kami, ang kamay naman maliit. Sana pinagsama lahat,” he said.

“Basta masaya kami dito. Dito sa game na ‘to, masaya kami. Nalulungkot lang kami para sa mga seniors pero ‘yung game itself, maganda nangyari. Either team pwede manalo. ‘Dun lang sa big shot ni (Terrence) Fortea, ‘yun na ‘yun.”

Cabañero Leaves UST After Five Years

Despite not winning the championship, Nic Cabañero will leave the University of Santo Tomas as a full-blooded Growling Tiger, having played five seasons for the team.

As he leaves the four corners of España, Cabañero looks forward to the team’s future without him.

“‘Yung babaunin ko from this is ‘yung pagiging matured ko and how to be a leader on the team. Hindi ko naman binubuhat ‘yung sariling bangko ko or ano, but sa mga tao, medyo ako lang talaga, e. I blieve na kasi ‘yung mga teammates ko ngayon, kayang-kaya nila ‘yung maging leader or maging katulad ko in the near future,” Cabañero said after their heartbreaking loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Despite not reclaiming the championship that the team last held in 2006, Cabañero still believes that the team will get it soon.

“Sad to say, hindi ko nabigay ‘yung championship talaga na gusto ng mga tao [at] ng UST community. But, naniniwala ako na maybe soon, marating din ng mga teammates ko ‘yun, ‘yung mga magiging holdovers,” he said with a hope.

After the pandemic, players rarely spend their five playing years in the UAAP, as there are many offers from international leagues. However, Cabañero instilled in himself and his teammates the value of loyalty.

“Actually, hindi lang ‘yung pagiging loyal ‘yung gusto ko i-instill sa UST – also sa lahat ng eight schools na meron tayo sa UAAP na mahalin niyo lang lagi ‘yung school niyo. I believe in the process kasi ‘yung mga nararanasan niyo ngayon, may balik ‘yan kasi may purpose talaga si God kaya ganyan ‘yung nangyayari sa career niyo,” he said.

“Lahat kasi tayo may negativity, e, just think of the positive outcome na lang talaga. May ups and downs tayo as players, pero trust the coach, trust the system, and trust the Lord.”

Cabañero remained mum about his future, saying he will take his time to rest and recover after a hard-fought season.

“Sa overseas, I can’t comment about that kasi naka-focus talaga ako sa UAAP. But at the local leve, meron namang mga MPBL teams na nag-try to contact me, pero hindi ko talaga sila kinakausap kasi gusto ko talaga mag-focus sa UAAP,” he said.

“I think sobra pa nga, e, kasi achievements wise, and academically, narrating ko na ‘yun sa UST. Malaking bagay na kasi I am considered an alumni na rin sa UST. Of course, sa basketball career ko sa UST, I think it’s better to ask ‘yung mga tao na karapat-dapat ba ako na makaiwan ng ganong klase na legacy. Hoping for the best in the future lang din na mabalik ‘yung korona sa España.”

Forthsky Padrigao Ends UAAP Career

After winning the championship with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, Forthsky Padrigao found himself in a different school, wearing a completely different jersey color.

Now that his collegiate career has come to a close, Padrigao does not have any regrets about everything that happened to him.

“I think I gave it my all naman kanina. Wala naman akong pinagsisihan. Last year, pangit din ng exit ko – ejected ako. Sana may another chance para makabawi, but then hindi napunta sa atin. I’m just really thankful na na-experience ko ito and I just gave it all on the court,” he said.

“Siyempre, we’re not happy with the result, but personally, I’m really happy about our team, kasi ‘yung improvement ng mga bata from last season to this season – it’s a big leap for them and for UST. Hopefully, it’s something to be excited about for the upcoming seasons.”

At the end of the day, Padrigao has nothing but gratitude to Ateneo and UST for making his collegiate career worthwhile, a memory he will cherish forever.

“I’m really grateful na na-experience ko ‘to. I’ve been to Ateneo, I’ve been to UST. Just really grateful for the experiences, ‘yung wins, ‘yung losses, ‘yung learnings. I’m just really absorbing everything, trying to be present, and being thankful for everything,” he ended.