Many questioned the reason why members of University of Santo Tomas’ Men’s Basketball Team went to Capuy, Sorsogon from late June to early August.
According to the report of Sorsogon City’s police which was certified by Governor Chiz Escudero, ex-UST head coach Aldin Ayo brought 17 members of the Growling Tigers to his domicile in order for the student-athletes to learn the intricacies of farming and earn for their respective families.
Despite the report, many still doubted the legitimacy of the report’s conclusion.
In a statement released by the decorated mentor, he shared that the on-going pandemic has made some of his players, especially those coming to not-so well-off families, look for work which he offered to them.
“This is no ordinary time. Times are hard. Many athletes coming from the provinces have in fact gone back to farming due to the pandemic and community
quarantines imposed by the government,” his statement read.
“I also went back home to my own farm, and this, I wanted to share with those individuals who also desired to come to my place. We can continue to be productive amidst the pandemic and community quarantines; but, still respecting government regulations. In fact, our government encourages agricultural pursuit especially in these times of crisis and economic depression.”
Ayo, who resigned from his post back on September 4, acknowledged that some could not believe this reason as it seems to good to be real.
But sometimes, seeing is believing.
“It is understandable that many people will find it hard to believe that basketball players can also be engaged in farm work and training, and planting trees. But if it is the truth, then it is. For the truth is stranger than fiction,” he continued.
“Come to my house and farm in Capuy, Sorsogon and see for yourself.”
Ayo closed his statement with a passage from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 9 verses 35 to 38.
“For the harvest is plenty and the laborers are few.”
