Prior to his first game as University of Santo Tomas head coach in the UAAP, Aldin Ayo sought a conversation with Aric Del Rosario — one of the program’s most decorated head coaches.
Ayo, a two-time collegiate champion, was able to have a conversation with the four-time UAAP champion coach back on September 5, 2018.
And it was a talk Ayo would never forget.
“Matagal din kaming nag-usap. Ang marami siyang binigay na advice.”
From 1993-2004, Del Rosario handled the Growling Tigers, steering the squad to a rare ‘four-peat’.
With a limited budget, he was still able to groom a squad that ended up producing the likes of Dennis Espino, Siot Tanquingcen, Bal David, Patrick Fran, and Rey Evangelista.
How? Well, Del Rosario told Ayo to do a couple of things.
“Napakarami niyang tinuro, pero may dalawa siyang pointers na binigyan niya talaga ng emphasis sa akin.
“Una, ‘yung passion sa game. Dapat mahal mo ang trabaho mo at ang ginagawa mo. Kwento niya sa akin kung gaano kahirap ang sitwasyon nila noon. Wala masyadong budget kaya sarili niyang pera ang ginagastos niya para sa mga players at para sa team,” Ayo shared.
“Pangalawa, kailangan ko raw maging tatay sa mga players. Alam mo na ang mga responsibilities ng isang tatay at kailangan mo disiplinahin ang mga players na ‘yan. Mahalin mo ang mga ‘yan at susuklian din nila ng pagmamahal ang ipinakita mo sa kanila,” he continued.
Beyond this, it was Del Rosario who inspired Ayo to be a coach.
The iconic 1993-96 UST team pushed the native of Sorsogon to try his luck in Manila. A couple of years later, Ayo ended up in Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
“Malaki ang impact sa akin ni coach Aric, lalo na ‘yung four-peat team niya.
“Lumaki ako na sila ang pinapanood ko noong nandito pa ako sa Sorsogon. Palagi ko ‘yan kinukwento kay coach Siot noong magkasama pa kami sa La Salle. Isa siya sa mga dahilan kung bakit ako nagpursigi na makapunta sa Manila,” Ayo disclosed.
Del Rosario passed away on Wednesday evening due to cardiac arrest. For his part, Ayo has a couple of regrets.
Of course, the first is that he will not be able to visit Del Rosario’s family due to the enhanced community quarantine the country is in.
Second?
“During that time, halos lahat ng mga players gustong pumunta ng UST. Kaya ang hirap pumasok sa UST noon, kahit tryouts hindi ako nakapunta.”
