UST taps Alfrancis Chua as new Special Assistant to the Rector for Sports

University of Santo Tomas has appointed sports executive Alfrancis Chua as the Special Assistant to the Rector for Sports ahead of UAAP Season 86 later this year.

The school announced the development on Monday as Chua, also the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) sports director, was formally introduced to the team.

"I'm here to fully support UST. This is my school, dito ako lumaki, mahal ko ang school na ito," said Chua.

("I'm here to fully support UST. This is my school, this is where I grew up, I love this school.")

"The only thing we have to do is to prove ourselves with how we play. If we're gonna work together, we're strong."

Chua personally appeared before Rector Fr. Richard Ang, OP, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP, and the Growling Tigers team.

"I would like to assure you UST will be giving its full support to the team and everybody involved. We hope we will make it good in the coming seasons," said Ang.

Chua's entry also marked the commitment of Petron as a major sponsor for the men's basketball program.

Chua, who was part of the Glowing Goldies and was the team captain in 1989, will reunite with Pido Jarencio, his former teammate and now the new head coach of UST.

"Matagal na kaming magkasama ni coach Al at masaya kami na sinamahan niya kami dito. Isa lang ang hangarin namin lahat, yung maibalik ang korona sa Espana dito sa bagong simula natin sa UST," said Jarencio.

("Coach Al and I have worked together for a long time and we're happy he is joining us here. We have one goal, to bring the crown back to Espana in our new start with UST.")

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News