Jarencio remains Tigers coach, says UST official

University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Friday dismissed reports that Pido Jarencio has been terminated as coach of the Growling Tigers men's basketball team. On Thursday, Manila Bulletin's online edition reported that Jarencio was “fired," a move reportedly done by UST in preparation for next year's UAAP season. UST PE department assistant director Felicitas Francisco told GMANews.TV that as far as she's concerned Jarencio's contract was binding until January next year. “These are only rumors. There was no termination. Some people are just floating these rumors maybe because they wanted his position." Francisco stressed that Jarencio will still coach the men's basketball team, which he led to the 2006 UAAP title against the heavily-favored Ateneo Blue Eagles. “The only reason he will not stop coaching is if he opts to leave," she said, adding that the management is satisfied with Jarencio’s performance. Jarencio, a former player of crowd darling Barangay Ginebra in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), donned the UST colors when the team was still known as the Glowing Goldies. Jarencio was best remembered with his scoring rivalry with University of the East’s Allan Caidic in the 80s. It was also under his supervision that Jervy Cruz and Dylan Ababou bagged the most valuable player (MVP) awards in 2006 and 2009, respectively. GMANews.TV also reported Thursday that National University is allegedly wooing Jarencio to replace Manny Dandan as the Bulldogs coach next season. NU athletic director Junel Baculi, however, said the report was only rumor and they don’t want to strain their relationship with UST. “Wala pang definite (candidate). Tsismis lang yun (There’s still no definite candidate and Jarencio being wooed by NU is only a rumor). We are still deliberating with (NU chairman) Mr. Hans Sy as to who would be NU’s next coach." NU, which is now being bankrolled by the SM Group of Companies, reportedly tendered an offer Jarencio could not refuse, a salary more than twice bigger than what he receives with UST. Baculi said they would not rather reveal the name of the applicants. “We will keep that under raps in the mean time." – Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV