Romwel Anzures

University of Santo Tomas head coach Pido Jarencio with San Miguel Corporation Sports Director Alfrancis Chua in UAAP Season 88. Photo form UAAP Media.

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<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763898201803UAAP 88 MBB NU vs. UST- Pido Jarencio-8914.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="University of Santo Tomas head coach Pido Jarencio with San Miguel Corporation Sports Director Alfrancis Chua in UAAP Season 88. Photo form UAAP Media."/>University of Santo Tomas head coach Pido Jarencio with San Miguel Corporation Sports Director Alfrancis Chua in UAAP Season 88. Photo form UAAP Media.MANILA — After an uncharacteristic four-game skid, the University of Santo Tomas is now through to the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final 4.</div>The Growling Tigers are on a roll — winning three straight games — with their latest victims being top seed National University which they took down 80–71 on Sunday. This victory allowed them to lock in the third seed in the playoffs.<div style="line-height:1.5"><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/23/uaap-ust-catches-fire-against-national-u-to-punch-final-4-ticket-1839">READ: UST catches fire against National U to punch Final 4 ticket</a></div>For UST head coach Pido Jarencio, the win not only clinched a second straight postseason appearance -- it also silenced the noise that had grown in volume during their losing streak.“Four straight losses kami, tapos marami nang nagdududa: ‘Papasok pa kaya ‘tong UST na ‘to? Ano ba ‘tong UST na ‘to? Joke lang ba ‘to?’ No, we’re here. Parating na kami,” said the outspoken mentor, who made his first appearance in a post-game press conference this season.“’Pag natalo ka, ang sama-sama mong tao. ‘Pag nanalo, ang pogi mo. Walang balanse eh, talagang ico-condemn ka,” he added.Among the murmurs surrounding the España-based crew was that their main backer, San Miguel Corporation with ex-UST cager Alfrancis Chua, was reportedly set to pull support should they fail to advance to the next round.And while Jarencio didn’t go into specifics, he acknowledged that there is a truth to this being a “contract year” for him and his staff.“This is our expiration contract year,” said Jarencio. “First year, nangangapa pa kami. Last year and this year, it’s now our time.”However, he downplayed these as mere outside noise, emphasizing that they do not allow it to affect their campaign.“‘Di naman kami namamatay doon, sa pangba-bash ng iba. Basta kami, we’re doing our job. Yung mga players na ‘to, pine-prepare namin, and we work hard,” he said.Instead, Jarencio and company are focusing on preparing for their Final 4 rematch against the second-seed University of the Philippines.“Iiwasan lang namin na magkaroon pa ng problema. From now on, naka-focus na kami sa Final 4,” he stressed.As for their future beyond this season, this is what Jarencio offered: “Yung next year, kung andito pa kami, yung team talaga na yun, amin na yun kasi mga recruits namin yun,” he said. “Andito naman kami. Okay kami, wala kaming problema. Marami lang talagang marites dyan.”

#UAAPSeason88 || ’"Pag natalo ka, ang sama-sama mong tao. ‘Pag nanalo, ang pogi mo. Walang balanse eh, talagang ico-condemn ka," said Jarencio.

#UAAPSeason88 || ’"Pag natalo ka, ang sama-sama mong tao. ‘Pag nanalo, ang pogi mo. Walang balanse eh, talagang ico-condemn ka," said Jarencio.

UAAP: Pido Jarencio fires back at doubters after UST makes Final 4 in 'contract year'

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UAAP: Pido Jarencio fires back at doubters after UST makes Final 4 in 'contract year'

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 23, 2025 07:58 PM PHT

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