MANILA, Philippines – Blackwater assistant coach Boy Sablan is reportedly set to assume coaching reins for his alma mater, University of Santo Tomas, in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball wars.
According to Rappler, Sablan is the likely choice to replace Bong dela Cruz, whose contract expires on May 31.
Sablan is a contemporary of former coach Pido Jarencio in the 1980s, playing together in the Glowing Goldies squad that reached the finals against Allan Caidic and University of the East.
After his playing stint, Sablan served as one of Jarencio’s deputies when the latter called the shots for the 2000s Tigers and won the crown in 2006.
UST is the latest UAAP squad to tap a new man in charge after Adamson (Franz Pumaren), La Salle (Aldin Ayo), Ateneo (Tab Baldwin) and University of the Philippines (Bo Perasol).
The Tigers enjoyed a surprisingly good campaign last season under Dela Cruz, only falling short of the title after losing a three-game battle with the Far Eastern U Tams.
Dela Cruz’s stint with UST however was hurt by allegations of physical abuse on his players. He has denied the allegations but was placed under investigation by the university.