Joel Villanueva pays tribute to former coach Aric del Rosario

Senator Joel Villanueva paid tribute to former University of Santo Tomas head coach Aric del Rosario, who died of cardiac arrest on Thursday.

In a statement, the senator fondly remembered his old mentor, who won four straight UAAP championships with the Growling Tigers.

Villanueva played for UST during its heydays in the 1990s.

"As a varsity player in high school we would attentively listen to this legend every time he speaks. He became a stricter mentor to me when I reached college," he said.

The senator said he had known del Rosario since 1987 when he played for Miescor (Meralco) at the Junior PBL Summer League.

"How can anyone forget those years of training at 6am, of pain, of disappointment, of suffering, and a lot of Kapampangan cursing," he said. "But as Coach Aric would always say, one day it will be all worth it."

Villanueva also reminisced UST's 1995 title run against De La Salle University. The Tigers prevented the Archers from completing a sweep and won the finals series in three games.

"Maraming Salamat Coach Aric! Paalam." 

--Llanesca T. Panti/MGP, GMA News