Alfrancis Chua is reportedly being tapped by University of Santo Tomas to help the team’s campaign in the UAAP under the wings of Pido Jarencio.
Coming as a new development after Jarencio’s appointment as the head coach recently, Chua met with the new staff and Institute of Physical Education and Athletics director Fr. Rodel S. Cansancio, OP after their formal signing on Monday, Feb. 13, in hopes of getting his support for this upcoming campaign.
However, team manager Waiyip Chong clarified that there won’t be any official announcement yet as discussions are pretty much ongoing.
"Umaasa tayo na makakasama natin siya dito. Lahat naman tayo iisa lang ang gusto, na matulungan na umangat ulit ang UST," said Jarencio, who personally invited Chua to the celebratory dinner.
Chong also clarified: "Kinukumbinsi pa namin si Al. Wala pang final pero malaking bagay kung papayag siya na sumama sa atin dito."
Chua was a former Glowing Goldie who played from 1985 to 1989. He and Jarencio were teammates in 1985 under the legendary Aric del Rosario.
Despite earlier reports, UST and Jarencio are only talking to Chua to be the Special Assistant to the Rector for Basketball and not the whole San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
Chua is currently the SMC sports director.
It's a setup close to what he held at Letran, where he had the role of Special Assistant to the Rector for Sports Development since 2018 and helped the Knights under coach Bonnie Tan to a three-peat in the NCAA.