Pido Jarencio Not Closing Door on Return to UST

Pido Jarencio says he's still waiting for UST to ask him to return.

The UST Growling Tigers have been losing their claws in the men's division of the UAAP men's basketball tournament and who would have thought things would have gone to something as worse as finishing the UAAP Season 80 with only one win in 14 games- a win against their fellow bottom-dweller, UE Red Warriors on their last game?

Right after another disappointing season, Boy Sablan and his entire coaching staff made their exit, paving way for a search of a new coach who can help the UST Growling Tigers regain heir long-lost glory in basketball. There were many names that have been included in the rumors.

For starters, the name of Aldin Ayo, currently serving as the head coach of the De La Salle Green Archers who recently lost in the Finals against the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles.has been one of the names that have been making the loudest noise. That was until Ayo himself shot down the rumors, stating that he is committed to La Salle. For now. 

Other names that have been heard are former UST player Bal David and even Alfrancis Chua, governor of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA who insisted that he only wanted to help UST in other ways. UST only needs to do one thing: tell Chua what the school's plans for their basketball team.

However, there's one specific name which has been in the hearts and minds of the UST faithfuls. That name belongs to Pido Jarencio, the coach who last led the Growling to a championship and a pair of Finals appearances.

While Pido Jarencio is back as the head coach of the GlobalPort Batang Pier who dropped their opening game against the NLEX Road Warriors, the former PBA player has already indicated in his Twitter account that he hasn't shot down the possibility of him returning at the helm of UST- even saying that he's courting UST to allow him to coach again.

Will Pido Jarencio be able to turn things around for UST?

The answer to that question is simple: YES!

Despite his tendency to drive his players nuts especially when his temper gets in the way, having Pido Jarencio as their coach will help UST regain their confidence and hopefully re-establish a winning attitude. Pido Jarencio has been known as a tough coach to play under but that toughness is due to his undying desire to make his team better. After all, Jarencio has transformed UST from becoming the first 4th seeded team to beat the top-seeded team in the Final 4, to a champion team during his stint.

Conclusion  

Now that Pido Jarencio has openly indicated that he is more than willing to make a return to Espana, the ball is now in the hands of the UST Growling Tigers themselves. If they want to become competitive again come Season 81 and beyond, they should start by hiring a coach who has a winning record and a winning attitude. Fortunately, Pido Jarencio has both.