PIDO ON UST'S EARLIER-THAN-HOPED EXIT: 'YUNG PATAY, BINUHAY NAMIN, 'DI BA?'

PIDO Jarencio wouldn't deny the uncertainty that looms over University of Santo Tomas' head following its earlier-than-hoped exit in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.

"Hindi ko na alam. Hindi pa namin alam kung ano mangyayari sa amin," he said on the heels of the Growling Tigers' painful 82-81 defeat to defending champion University of the Philippines on Wednesday.

READ: UP marches on to fifth straight finals after gutsy win vs UST

"Kung kami pa rin o hindi na, ok naman ako. Kung wala na, pumalit yung iba, yung mga nang-aaswang sa amin, yun na yun."

It's no secret that the three-year partnership with San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is elapsing at the end of the season, and the champion coach himself has been vocal about it.

Regardless of what the future holds, however, Jarencio could hold his head high knowing he did all his could in his second go-round in Espana.

"Kami, yung tama, ginawa namin. Wala kaming maling ginawa. Maayos lahat. Yung patay, binuhay namin, 'di ba? In two years' time, Final Four, third-place," he said.

Still, the outspoken mentor's heart breaks for the team, especially for seniors like Nic Cabanero, Forthsky Padrigao, Kyle Paranada, and Leland Estacio.

And he's sure that the future is proofed with presumptive Rookie of the Year Collins Akowe, Gelo Crisostomo, Amiel Acido, Mark Llemit, and Koji Buenaflor being joined by incoming recruits like Kristian Porter, Michael Mara, and Mur Alao for Season 89.

Laban USTe, para sa USTe

But Jarencio is adamant that there's no shame for the players who poured their hearts out.

"We did our best. We lost by one point to the defending champion, that's it, di ba?," he said.

"Breaks of the game na lang eh. Si Nic, binigay ko na sa senior player ko yung last two plays. Yung una, open na open at pwedeng tawagan ng goaltending, pwedeng tawagan ng block [foul]. Second, kay Nic pa rin, pero breaks of the game. Yun na lang yun, we did our best."

After everything that has happened, Jarencio expressed his gratitude to the community which came out all season long, especially those who showed out at the Big Dome on Wednesday.

"Basta ako nagpapasalamat lang ako sa community. Yung pagdating nila, yung support nila, yan lang naman sa akin. Pinasaya namin lahat. Matibay pa rin tayo," he said.

"I love you all."

2025-12-03T14:15:11Z