Manansala is taking over the position left by Aldin Ayo, who resigned last September after leading the Growling Tigers for a short tenure of two years.

He was among the list of decorated candidates that had submitted their application for the vacated position which also includes Sean Chambers, Chris Gavina, Gilbert Lao, Aris Dimaunahan, Estong Ballesteros, Lenny Reyes, Ed Cordero, Potit de Vera, and Chris Daleo.

Manansala is not a stranger to UST for he was a deputy of Ayo who led the Growling Tigers to its finals appearance comeback after five years last UAAP Season 82.

During his collegiate basketball career, he played for UST under coach Aric del Rosario from 1999 to 2003.

He brought four straight titles in his coaching stint for St. Clare Saints in their feat in the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU).

Amid the Sorsogon bubble controversy, the Thomasian alumnus resigned from his post as Tiger Cubs’ coach and as Growling Tigers’ coaching assistant together with co-deputy McJour Luib following Ayo’s leave.

However, UST officials believed that signing with the 40-year-old tactician will continue the mayhem program that Ayo initiated.

“Grateful for the appointment. UST still trusts the Mayhem program,” Manansala said.

Luib, on the other hand, had been named as the new coach for the UST juniors basketball team.

“Syempre nagpapasalamat ako sa opportunity and trust na binigay ng UST sa amin. The plan is to continue the Mayhem system of coach Aldin and give our best to compete,” Luib said.

With the mass exodus of their key players that took place, Manansala will be faced with a challenge of bouncing back from the ashes.

“It’s challenging times now so far. So we are in a rebuilding stage and back to square one after losing a lot of players,” he said.