UST formalizes partnership with Cocolife, DUMPER Party-list

Cocolife x DUMPER x UST

Buoyed by their recent partnership with San Miguel Corporation, the University of Santo Tomas secured another injection of support, thanks to a MOA signing with two entities with interests in basketball.

Held at their headquarters along Ayala Avenue in Makati, Cocolife, alongside party-list group Drivers United for Mass Progress and Equal Rights (DUMPER), the three entities joined forces with the goal of helping revive the collegiate men's and high school boys' teams.

Representing the school is IPEA director Fr. Roden Cansancio, while brand ambassador Col. Ariel Querubin served as Cocolife's signatory alongside Senior Vice President Joseph Ronquillo. Acting as Representative Claudine Bautista's representative in the event is Bhong Baribar.

Fr. Cansancio shares, "We’re excited for this partnership. We know kung ano ang maitutulong nito sa UST basketball program. Like what coach Pido said, we need the help of everyone and we acknowledge this big help." He adds, "We can assure the Thomasian community that we will bring our basketball program to new heights. Hindi natin masasabi na magcha-champion agad this season but with these corporate sponsorships from SMC, Cocolife and Dumper Partylist, malayo ang mararating natin."

On their end, Ronquillo shares, "UST is one of the great schools in the Philippines. It’s a huge honor for us to be partners with them in this journey as part of our mission to support grassroots sports for Filipino youth. We’re hoping for a great season for UST."

In a statement posted on their Facebook page, the party-list group serving the transport sector shares,

"Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, magkakaroon ng oportunidad ang mga batang may kakayahan sa basketball na makapasok bilang full scholar sa UST. Ito ay isang oportunidad para sa ating mga kabataan na makapag aral sa UST at makapag laro sila ng basketball.

Maraming salamat UST and Cocolife! Sikapin pa natin at gawing layunin na makakuha pa at maimpluwensiyahan pa ang mas madaming mga well-trained athletes at mabubuting mag-aaral.  Sama-sama tayong magtulungan para sa magandang kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan."

Although specifics on the deal was not disclosed, the parties did acknowledge that the deal is at least for the upcoming season, noting the possibility that can be extended and/or expanded to other sports.

Cocolife has had experience being in this situation, having backed the United Volleyball Club in the Philippine Superliga and with the Davao Occidental Tigers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and the Pilipinas Super League. Joining Cocolife in their work in the PSL is DUMPER.

This past season saw the Growling Tigers finish at the bottom of the league with a 1-13 record, whilst the Tiger Cubs ended up in the Final Four with a 7-7 record. Both teams opted to refresh their squads for the upcoming campaign, starting off with new tacticians, led by the returning Pido Jarencio in the men's and Manu Inigo for the boys'.

A few of the Tiger Cubs were present for the MOA signing, whilst the Tigers are currently in South Korea for their preparations for Season 86 currently scheduled at the end of September.