ONE-TIME UAAP men’s basketball champion coach Juno Sauler was added to University of Santo Tomas head mentor Pido Jarencio’s staff ahead of the Season 87 wars, the team management announced yesterday.

The Growling Tigers also hired Peter Martin to shore up the team’s think tank.

Sauler and Martin were welcomed by Jarencio, San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua, UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics head Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP, and team managers Eric Ang and Waiyip Chong in an informal dinner on Wednesday night.

“Winner parehas itong tutulong sa atin at masaya tayo dahil marami ang maituturo ni coach Juno at coach Peter sa mga bata papunta doon sa binubuo nating winning culture,” said Jarencio.

Sauler steering the Jeron Teng-led La Salle to the crown in 2013. Incidentally, Sauler’s Green Archers faced off Jarencio’s Growling Tigers in an epic Season 76 championship series that went to distance.

He has since worked as an assistant first in Barangay Ginebra and currently with Magnolia.

Meanwhile, Martin has been an assistant coach for San Miguel.

It’s the latest of SMC’s support to UST, which is looking to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2019.

Jarencio’s staff currently includes Japs Cuan, Jeric Fortuna, Juben Ledesma, Jaren Jarencio, and Ian Herrera, with NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan serving as team consultant.

The Growling Tigers finished last in Jarencio’s return to España last year with a 2-12 record.

Nic Cabañero will lead UST’s campaign this year, with a bevy of newcomers coming in.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado