Jarin hints at quitting

As of the moment, I’m not coaching anymore and I feel like, personally, the three years were enough

Did Jamike Jarin already coach his final game with National University (NU)?

The Bulldogs lost to University of the East (UE), 77-79, in their last game of Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

NU finished dead last in the tournament with a 2-12 win-loss record and Jarin gave a hint that that could be his final game with the squad.

“I’ve been coaching for 21 straight years and maybe it’s time for me to step back a little,” said Jarin, who is on his third year with the Sampaloc-based squad.

“As of the moment, I’m not coaching anymore and I feel like, personally, the three years were enough,” he added.

Jarin had a successful stint with the juniors team of Ateneo de Manila University before he transferred to San Beda University where he won a title in 2016.

He moved to NU the following year but in three years at the helm, NU never made it to the Final Four stage.

“I’m the head coach of this program for the past three years and I’m not making any excuses,” Jarin said.

“If you’re down and out, you just have to dust yourself and get up. This NU program will get up because you got a lot of skillful players, (and) you got a lot of talent,” he added.

Jarin compiled an 11-31 win-loss record in three seasons with the Bulldogs and if ever he decides to leave, the former Batang Gilas mentor believes a bright future awaits NU.

“The darkest hour is best before dawn. The sun will always rise,” Jarin said before stepping away from the bright lights of the country’s most prestigious collegiate league.