UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio, back in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament after 10 years, has hardly missed a beat.

When asked on who will be the champion of Season 86, Jarencio, who steered the España-based program to an improbable 2006 crown, has an answer.

“UP, Ateneo, La Salle, NU, lahat yan magcha-champion. Sabay-sabay yan magcha-champion,” said Jarencio, as those present at the Mall of Asia Arena press conference erupted into laughter.

“Kami abang-abang lang. Ingat kayo sa amin,” the amiable mentor added.

As the Growling Tigers are rebuilding from last season’s forgettable 1-13 campaign, Jarencio, turning serious, promised the UST community to bring back the heart, pride and fighting spirit that his teams during his first stint from 2006-13 as known for.

“For sure, magiging competitive tayo this season,” said Jarencio as the Growling Tigers will parade a rejigged roster, with veteran Nic Cabañero as the cornerstone.

“Malakas lahat. Balanced yung liga. Basta kami, laro lang. Pagpapawisan sila sa amin,” he added.

UST will open its campaign against season host University of the East at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the bayside Pasay arena.

Defending champion Ateneo and last season’s third placers National University clash in the other half of an exciting opening day doubleheader at 4 p.m.

Kai Ballungay, Mason Amos, co-captains Sean Quitevis and Chris Koon will banner the Blue Eagles quest for another championship.

Ateneo may have endured struggles in the preseason, having lost World University Basketball Series title, but coach Tab Baldwin is looking forward for the team’s development.

“We’ve got to grow, we’ve got to develop, we’ve got a lot of young players, and that’s gonna be an exciting thing for the players and alumni, maybe not for the coaches but we’ll get there,” Baldwin said.

Coach Jeff Napa is looking forward in facing the Blue Eagles in a game that will serve as an early acid test for the Bulldogs.

“Definitely, magiging competitive this season. We’ll come out strong and competitive para makalaban pa rin kami sa big boys,” said Napa.

University of the Philippines, which will play Adamson at 4 p.m. on Sunday, is determined to reclaim the throne it lost to Ateneo despite losing several key players led by Xavier Lucero.

“One of the challenges we expect is how they (our new recruits) will play together,” said Monteverde, who handled the Fighting Maroons in ending a 36-year title drought in Season 84 last year.

“Every season naman, we prepare the same way. Lahat competitive. Contenders. On our part, we’re just doing our best to prepare. We’re ready,” he added.

Coach Nash Racela remains upbeat of the Falcons to be competitive this season.

“We’re hoping like last year to gatecrash in the Final Four. We’ll be the hunters,” said Racela.

La Salle, now with first-year coach Topex Robinson in tow, is looking forward to its first game of the season against Far Eastern University at 2 p.m. to cap the opening weekend.

“We’re excited as a team. We’re excited to play against the top teams in college basketball,” said Robinson.

Another rookie mentor, Denok Miranda, is taking things a step at a time after the Tamaraws missed the Final Four last year, ending a streak of eight consecutive appearances.

“Halos lahat naman malakas eh. UP, Ateneo, NU, La Salle. Kami paunti-unti lang. Ma-improve namin yung standing, makapasok sa Final Four at maka-compete kami this season,” said Miranda, who was a part of FEU’s 2003-05 champion squad.