MANILA – Having decided to play for his alma mater once again, Renzo Subido is keeping University of Santo Tomas (UST) on his mind even as he continues to compete in the PBA D-League for Marinerong Pilipino.

Subido had a team-high 20 points and knocked down the game-clinching free throws for the Skippers as they hacked out a 94-92 victory over the Zark's Burger-Lyceum Jawbreakers last Thursday in their opening assignment in the Aspirants' Cup.

Afterward, the guard stressed that his stint with Marinerong Pilipino was a way of preparing him for his return to UST.

"I want to become a better leader," Subido said. "I know that everything I can learn this conference, I can bring to UST."

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Subido opted not to play with the Growling Tigers in 2017, before declaring his intent to come back to his alma mater shortly after the end of the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament.

He will return to a vastly different team. Gone is embattled coach Boy Sablan, who left the team after a historically poor campaign in Season 80 when the Growling Tigers won just one game. In his stead, two-time champion coach Aldin Ayo is now the one calling the shots for the España cagers.

"I'm more than excited," Subido said of his upcoming return. "It's a very different system (and) I'm excited to play for Coach Aldin."

Subido's first three years in the UAAP has been marked by inconsistency; he averaged only 6.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in Season 79. However, he is optimistic that under Ayo's guidance, he will blossom into a better player.

"For all I can see, Coach Aldin is a guard-oriented coach," he noted.

"I'm using all the experience I get here in Marinero. I'll bring it to UST," Subido promised.

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