University of Santo Tomas seeks to build team chemistry as they continue their buildup for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 men's basketball tournament.

Growling Tigers strength and conditioning coach Reil Espino said during a press conference in Makati last Tuesday that Cocolife signed a partnership with UST and Dumper Partylist and CPrime Business Financing Corporation to support the Tigers and the Tiger Cubs, the boys basketball team of UST.

"Their main goal here is to build team chemistry among the players and the coaching staff," Espino said.

"The coaching staff is actually doing all their best and helping one another to make this team competitive in the upcoming season."

UST is set to face three top Korean universities and Korean Basketball League team Changwon LG Sakers in a training camp that will last until 9 August in Incheon and a few other sites.

Rookies SJ Moore and Mark Llemit will also get their feet wet together with Filipino-Amercan cagers Vince Ventulan and John Abate as they try to make early impressions.

Completing the 16-man roster for this trip are holdovers Ivan Lazarte, Christian Manaytay, Miguel Pangilinan, Jonathan Gesalem, Mark Angelo Crisostomo, Bevir Ivanne Calum, and second-generation players Kenji Duremdes, Kylle Magdangal and Echo Laure.

Jarencio, together with team consultant Bonnie Tan and team managers Eric Ang and Waiyip Chong, lead the 34-man delegation.

UST is seeking its first men's basketball title since 2006 when Jarencio led the Tigers to UAAP glory.