UAAP champ UST to join PBL Silver Cup

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, this year’s 69th UAAP Men’s Basketball champions, will join the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) when it open its 25th season this November. In an interview with GMA News.TV, PBL chairman Chino Trinidad said the team will be supported by RFM chairman Joey Concepcion, an avid basketball fan and supporter. Trinidad said the Tigers would be bannered by the core of players who helped the team win the UAAP men’s basketball title against powerhouse Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles almost three weeks ago. "Yes, they are set to participate during our Silver anniversary this coming November and will be backed by no less than RFM chair Joey Concepcion," Trinidad said. "However, up to this point in time, we still don’t know what the team’s moniker will be as they are still in China on a vacation." "With UST's arrival, we will have a total of nine teams competing for the Silver Cup," he added. Trinidad said the arrival of the UST squad would surely make the PBL's forthcoming season more memorable and fun to watch. Sources, meanwhile, said that UST’s former players would also suit up for the team in their quest to win a PBL crown. Sources said former UAAP standouts would also be part of the team — Alwin Espiritu, Derrick Hubalde (son of former PBA great Freddie Hubalde and whose younger brother is now playing for the Barangay Ginebra Gins Kings in the PBA) and 6'-4" guard Warren de Guzman. Espiritu, Hubalde, and de Guzman, all played for UST when they were still being handled by former legendary coach Juanario "Aric" del Rosario. Coach Alfredo "Pido" Jarencio, who services was recently acquired by the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA as an assistant coach, will handle the squad. The PBL games will be played in the new San Juan Coliseum. - GMANews.TV