MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are set to receive a significant boost following a disappointing UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball campaign last year.
Petron, San Miguel Corporation’s subsidiary, has been named as the Growling Tigers’ primary sponsor, while SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua has been appointed as the Special Assistant to the Rector for Sports at UST.
“I’m here to fully support UST. This is my school. Dito ako lumaki, mahal ko ang school na ito,” said Chua, who got the go signal from SMC president and CEO Ramon Ang to support the school’s basketball program.
“The only thing we have to do is prove ourselves with how we play. If we’re gonna work together, we’re strong,” added Chua, who is also a former basketball player for UST in 1989.
SMC’s support was formalized afterbChua made a personal appearance before UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, OP, Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP, Director of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA), and the entire Growling Tigers team on Monday.
“I would like to assure you that UST will be giving its full support to the team and everybody involved. We hope we will make it good in the coming seasons,” said Richard Ang.
“This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the full support of Coach Al. Coach Al is ‘yung pinaka-magaling nating na-recruit,” Cansancio added for his part.
Growling Tigers head coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio said he is delighted to have his fellow Thomasian alumni Chua by his side as they hope to restore UST’s glory in the UAAP.
“Matagal na kaming magkasama ni Coach Al at masaya kami na sinamahan niya kami dito. Isa lang ang hangarin namin lahat, ‘yung maibalik ang korona sa España dito sa bagong simula natin sa UST,” said the Capiz-native Jarencio.
UST, which had a dismal 1-13 win-loss record last year, will bank on returning Nicael Cabañero and Adama Faye and incoming rookies SJ Moore and Mark Llemit for the upcoming UAAP season./PN
