UAAP: La Salle and UP still teams to beat, but UST wants a chance

Men’s basketball team coaches during the UAAP Season 89 press conference. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio is a veteran of the UAAP landscape.

So when asked which teams are the ones to beat in the upcoming UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, he stated the obvious.

“Of course, it’s still them,” Jarencio said during the league’s presser at Novotel on Tuesday, pointing to Season 88 champion La Salle and finalist State U.

“For us, maybe we can squeeze past them. We’ll just be there. But, wouldn’t it be nice to see a different color there? It’s always been them, right?”

Jarencio has a point.

For the past three years, only the Green Archers and Fighting Maroons have reached the Finals, with La Salle winning two of the last three titles.

Meanwhile, Jarencio’s Growling Tigers have fallen short in the semifinals in each of the past two seasons, losing to UP both times.

As UST ushers in a new era without star gunner Nic Cabañero, Jarencio is confident the squad can flourish with Collins Akowe, Amiel Acido and Mark Lllemit leading the pack.

“Tingnan natin, baka may tsamba (Let’s see if there’s some good luck),” he said.