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Bong Dela Cruz replaces Pido Jarencio as UST's head coach

Bong Dela Cruz was promoted as UST's head coach to replace Pido Jarencio who is now in the PBA. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

Segundo “Bong” dela Cruz III is all set to take over the head-coaching post left by Pido Jarencio in the University of Santo Tomas men’s basketball team, a move that certainly caught many by surprise.

Reports spread like wildfire Thursday afternoon that Dela Cruz, who previously served as an assistant to Jarencio, has gained the nod from top school officials, including current Rector Magnificus Rev. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., and will be formally named in the coming days.

The decision surely left majority of the armchair pundits with raised eyebrows, with Dela Cruz seizing one of the most high-profile posts in the collegiate ranks over a bunch of notable basketball figures that included Barako Bull consultant Siot Tanquincen, former Tiger Gerard Francisco, Beaujing Acot and fellow assistant coach Ernesto Ballesteros, who was even endorsed by Jarencio.

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However, several sources stressed Dela Cruz gained majority of the support from team management and has decided to elevate him to the head-coaching post while keeping Ballesteros as one of his assistants.

A former UST Tiger Cub who went on to play alongside Kenneth Duremdes, Marlou Aquino and EJ Feihl with the Adamson Falcons in the early 90’s, Dela Cruz will have his hands full in his first foray as he tries to match–or even surpass–the achievements made by Jarencio notably in the UAAP men’s cage wars.

Before accepting the offer of handling a rebuilding GlobalPort crew in the pro league last January, Jarencio, 49, had a colorful eight-year stint with the Tigers, even leading the Espana-based squad to a stunning title victory over favored Ateneo in his debut in 2006.

Despite a spate of struggles, Jarencio still kept UST among the league’s elite and helped the squad reach the UAAP finals the last two seasons, which both came up short, against powerhouse Ateneo in 2012 and formidable La Salle last year.

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Although he admitted he has to deal with "a tremendous pressure," Dela Cruz is confident he can live up to the task.

"Matinding pressure talaga 'yung haharapin ko dahil mahirap pantayan 'yung nagawa ni coach Pido sa team. Legend 'yun. Pero nagpapasalamat ako sa opportunity na binigay niya sa'kin na maging isa sa mga assistants niya. Basta ang importante ngayon, maihanda ko 'yung team ng maayos," he said.

With less than four months to go before the UAAP Season 77 unfolds, Dela Cruz admitted he is racing against time and he would only do little tweakings on the system already instilled to the likes of holdovers Cameroon center Karim Abdul, wingman Kevin Ferrer, forward Aljon Mariano, guard Ed Daquioag, Sheak Sheriff, Kim Lo, Paolo Pe, Kent Lao, Jeepy Faundo.

"Kaunting adjustments lang naman talaga ang gagawin ko. Nandu'n na 'yung sistema na alam ko namang bagay talaga sa team," he said.

Wingman Louie Vigil is also expected to return while transferee Jon Macasaet, who previously played for San Sebastian-Recoletos in the NCAA, is tipped to play a key role for the Tigers who have lost ace forward Jeric Teng, shooting guard Clark Bautista and reserve Roberto Hainga to graduation.

While most of their rivals are honing up by joining several tournaments this summer, Dela Cruz disclosed they would rather focus mainly on improving their chemistry and even skip some leagues, including the Filoil-Flying V tourney.

"Hindi na kami sasali muna sa Filoil (league) dahil medyo magulo pa ang team. Pero sure naman na sasali kami sa Fr. Martin's Cup which will start this April," he added.