UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas is out to regain lost glory in the UAAP and to achieve its coveted goal, the school is handing the reins to one of its greats in the 90s.
Bal David is reportedly set to take over at the helm of the Growling Tigers vice Jiniño Manansala, according to a report last Friday by The Varsitarian, the school’s official student publication.
David is expected to make his Tigers coaching debut today in UST’s duel with Jose Rizal University in the Filoil EcoOil Pre-season Cup.
The Tigers are also seeing action in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, with interim coach Albert Alocillo calling the shots.
David was a member of UST’s two straight titles in 1993 and 1994 under the late great Aric del Rosario, who carved out a memorable 10-year career with Ginebra in the PBA.
A two-time champion with the Kings and four-time All-Star, David, 49, served as coach for Fern-C in the defunct PBL and an assistant coach for Liver Marin in the PBA D-League.
David will have his hands full in steering the España-based dribblers back to their winning ways.
UST finished seventh with a woeful 3-11 mark in the last cage wars, three years after it reached the Big Dance under Aldin Ayo but lost to Ateneo.
The likes of Sherwin Concepcion, Bryan Santos, Nic Cabañero, and Fil-Am recruits Gani Stevens and Willie Wilson will be counted upon by the Tigers next season.
In September 2020, UST was marred in a controversy Ayo allegedly broke the government’s stringent health protocols by bringing the Tigers’ practice to his hometown in Sorsogon City amid the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic from mid-June to August of the same year.
Ayo has been suspended indefinitely in the UAAP.
