The 80th season of the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament has been a roller-coaster ride for both the De La Salle University Green Archers and their head coach Aldin Ayo.
During his post-game scrums, the youthful mentor always talked about distractions — and they came from all fronts, so much that even Ayo was the subject of some, including a rumor that circulated claiming he was about to transfer to the University of Santo Tomas… win or lose.
“Well, ang daming distractions sa social media, sa lahat. Mumurahin ka, ano-ano ang sasabihin sa iyo,” shared Ayo. “Pati yung other coaches, they are trying to ridicule you, bully you. I have one message to them, ‘I forgive, I forgive, I forgive’ because it’s part of the competition naman. Since tapos na rin naman yung season, there’s a difference, basketball lang naman ito.
“Pero yung mga nagtatanim ng sama ng loob that I got the job here, it’s not my fault na nandito ako.”
Ayo did not shut down the rumors of his transfer, however, instead discussing the terms of his contract with La Salle.
According to the proud son of Sorsogon, his contract with the Green Archers was different from his contract with the managers, with the former spanning September 2017 to December 2017.
“Well I don’t have to… Di ko pa… Ako iniisip ko lang ngayon yung laro muna at yung team na ito. Ayoko ng mga ganiyan,” he said when asked about the rumors.
“I just want to clarify to you guys, yung time na I went from Letran to La Salle, nabo-bother ako because of the messages I’ve been receiving about dun sa kontrata ko sa La Salle na nine million for three years,” Ayo quickly countered, as he looked for a certain writer from a daily that wrote about rumors regarding him.
“If he can produce a contract na ganun, gusto kong makita. I just signed a contract sa La Salle last September that will expire this December. Wala akong kontrata na nine million tapos three years. Lumalabas na ginagawa natin ‘to dahil sa pera,” he said. “I’m doing this because I love basketball, this opportunity and I just want to win. I have enough, simple lang yung lifestyle ko.
“Pulitiko akong tao, yung reputation ko nasisira. Puwede bang pakitulungan ako? Kasi hindi totoo e.”
If Ayo has his way, he will return to La Salle, saying that he loves the student-athletes of the university and the community. However, the decision is beyond him, as it depends where the powers-that-be will put him.
“Well… I just told Aljun [Melecio] that (I’m returning). I love these guys, I love these players,” he shared.
“Pero day-to-day basis kami e. Nothing’s definite.
“I don’t want to comment on that,” he added when pressed once more about the rumors. “Actually, I have lots of friends in UST. Yung pari na nagdala sa akin dito sa Manila, he’s in UST. Yung adviser ko sa thesis ko, he’s a Dominican, he’s also in UST. There are lots of priests na nandun sa UST na friends ko pati alumni.
“Pero regarding sa issue na yun, I don’t want to comment on that.”
At the end of the day, the multi-time champion mentor is grateful to have been given an opportunity to coach in De La Salle University.
“Actually, I’m grateful that I’m here. When La Salle hired me, I did not have any plans of coming back here sa Manila pero di ko kasalanan na ako ang napili ng La Salle,” he said.
“Despite na madaming sinasabi sa akin or tine-threaten yung pamilya ko or ano-ano, I forgive you.”
