Amid online clamor, Pido Jarencio says he's open to coaching Ginebra

IS University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio open to coaching Barangay Ginebra in the PBA?

“Bakit hindi? Lahat naman eh,” said Jarencio when asked the question by Spin.ph on Thursday.

There has been a strong clamor online for Jarencio to return as coach of the team where he spent the best years of his playing career as the top three-point gunner of former head coach Robert Jaworski.

When told about the clamor from netizens, Jarencio pointed out that he started his pro career with San Miguel Corp. but made it clear that he has not been approached about the possibility.

“Siyempre, unang-una, nag-start naman tayo sa San Miguel group. Kung bibigyan tayo ng opportunity, bakit hindi? Siyempre nasa management naman ‘yun. Mabigyan lang tayo ng pagkakataon,” said Jarencio.

Jarencio, however, made it clear that his priority remains his alma mater UST, which is vying for the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball crown against De La Salle in the deciding Game Three of Saturday.

The former Northern Consolidated player is on a yearly contract with UST, which is on the verge of winning its second league championship in seven years under Jarencio.

“Pero kailangan, magpaalam muna ako sa UST. Alam mo naman na mahal na mahal ko ‘yun,” said Jarencio.

The Ginebra coaching situation has become muddled after Boycie Zamar admitted to Spin.ph on Wednesday that he has turned down an offer to coach the league's most popular ballclub.

Ato Agustin continues to run Ginebra's practice despite a disappointing showing in his first conference as interim coach while former coach and now team manager Al Chua is silent on the possibility of returning to the job.

Zamar, who is also head coach of University of the East, was reportedly the personal choice of SMC big boss Ramon S. Ang.

[For full story, see Road clear for Chua's return as Zamar admits he turned down offer to coach Ginebra]

The UST coach acknowledges the coaching is not always a secure job, the reason he is ready for any eventuality.

“Alam naman natin ang trabaho natin, marami lang nakaabang. Ako naman, ang kontrata ko sa UST yearly. Ngayon kung mag-decide sila na palitan ako, open ako doon,” said Jarencio.