JRU eyes Meneses as coach

By JONAS TERRADO (Manila Bulletin)

Coaches Pido Jarencio of the University of Santo Tomas and Manny Dandan of National University became the second and third college coaches fired by their respective schools the last two days in preparation for next season’s basketball wars.

Some reports, however, said that Jarencio is being eyed to replace Dandan at NU.

Jarencio’s contract which ended this year was not renewed although he guided UST to the UAAP championship during his rookie season in 2006. The team also managed to make it to the Final 4 the last two seasons.

It was also under his watch that two UST players – Jervy Cruz (2006) and Dylan Ababou (2009) – won most valuable player awards.

Dandan, who led the Bulldogs to their only Final Four appearance in 2001, was let go after coaching the team to a dismal 3-11 record this year.

Two days ago, Jose Rizal University fired its coach Ariel Vanguardia while Franz Pumaren, coach of La Salle University, resigned after the Archers missed the Final 4.

Meanwhile, JRU is reportedly set to name ex-PBA star Vergel Meneses as its new head coach to replace Vanguardia.

Paul Supan, Jose Rizal’s representative to the Management Committee, neither confirmed nor denied the report but admitted Meneses is included in their short list.

“He’s part of the short list,” Supan said.