I have “other sons” - Jarencio

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Jul 16th 2013

It’s a realization Pido Jarencio handsomely acknowledged: Jeric Teng is not the only Tiger, who knows how to look good on the court.

On Saturday, minutes after University of Santo Tomas (UST) walloped University of the East (UE) without Teng, the Tigers’ soundbite-loving drillmaster praised his “other sons”.

“Si Jeric, siya talaga ang leader namin. Nung nawala siya nung second half ng game versus NU, naramdaman ko na nawalan ako ng gwapong anak,” said Jarencio, a no. 16 patch taped on his right shoulder like the other Tigers as a gesture of support for UST’s injured captain.

“After two days, na-realize ko meron pa pala akong labing-limang gwapong anak na nagpa-pogi ngayon.”

Jarencio was of course referring to the other guys, especially veterans Karim Abdul, Aljon Mariano, Ed Daquioag, Kevin Ferrer, and Clark Bautista, who all stepped up in the Tigers’ morale-boosting 88-77 victory against the Warriors.

Abdul, who disappeared in their last two games before UE, finally regained his double-double appetite, scoring 25 points on top of 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block in 33 minutes of action.

“Sabi ko sa mga bata, hanapin natin si Karim sa ilalim. Who will stop Karim kung wala si (Charles) Mammie? Yun ang in-exploit namin,” Jarencio said, referring to the absence of UE import Charles Mammie who was suspended last Saturday.

Asked if he expected Abdul to dominate sans Mammie: Jarencio quipped: “Darating talaga yun, kasi last two games puro pigsa na lang pumuputok sa kanya e. Joke lang.”

Mariano also got Jarencio’s nod with his sizzling fourth-quarter performance. The 6’3 swingman, who has just recovered from a severe left ankle injury, tallied 24 markers, plus 11 boards, three dishes and a rejection to announce his recovery.

“Ito ang breakout game ni (Aljon) Mariano. Matagal na niyang hinihintay ‘to after niyang ma-injure. Ito ang patunay na fully recovered na siya,” Jarencio said.

But Jarencio reserved the most emotionally-charged approval to Daquioag, a natural shooting guard whom he converted into a playmaker last season to prepare for the departure of former UST quarterback Jeric Fortuna. 

“Si Daquioag maraming nag-cri-criticize sa kanya pero ipinakita niya na deserving siya sa team namin at the same time sa UAAP,” the six-year UST mentor said of the Ilocos Sur native, who posted a career-high 19 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

“I think he (Daquioag) can now compete with anyone sa liga.”

Overall, Jarencio gave credit to everyone in the Tigers’ roster for backstopping each other despite a few anxious moments with the unrelenting Warriors.

As for now, Jarencio hopes his “eldest son” would be back in time for the tougher grind come second round.

“Pahinga lang ang kailangan (niya). Hopefully by second round ok na siya (Teng). Kakailanganin namin siya (to lead) dahil mas bibigat na yung mga laban namin.”