MANILA – University of Santo Tomas (UST) men’s basketball team begin its tough rebuilding process with the appointment of Jinino “Jinno” Manansala as head coach.
Manansala, who served as one of the assistant coaches of resigned UST coach Aldin Ayo, confirmed his appointment to Panay News last night as he is expected to continue the “Mayhem” system of the former mentor.
“I am grateful for the appointment and UST’s trust in the Mayhem program,” Manansala said. “It would be a team effort to rise from the ashes. Challenging times for the team, but I have faith with the remaining players and the UST community. Our main focus is rebuilding the team.”
Manansala, son of 1978 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie of the Year awardee Jimmy Manansala, is a decorated bench tactician in his own right having led the St. Clare Saints to four straight championships in the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.
Manansala was also a former Growling Tiger and played under the late Januario “Aric” Del Rosario’s watch from 1999 to 2003.
His appointment came a day after UST formally endorsed Ayo’s appeal to the indefinite ban slapped on him by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Board regarding the controversial “Sorsogon Bubble.” This makes Ayo’s coaching stint an interim basis if the appeal will prosper.
As the Growling Tigers’ newest mentor, Manansala will handle a squad that was orphaned with the departure of several key players such as Negrense Mark Nonoy, Rhenz Abando, CJ Cansino, John Bismarck Lina, Brent Paraiso, and Ira Bataller.
Currently, the Growling Tigers has 20 players in its Team A and Team B roster, of which 13 are eligible to suit up if ever the UAAP Season 83 will be held as scheduled in February next year./PN
