The ghosts of the mythical Sorsogon bubble training in the extended off-season of 2020 just refuse to die for University of Santo Tomas.
Amidst a dismal UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament campaign that has seen the Growling Tigers win three matches and lose nine games, calls are getting louder on social media through the #LetAyoCoach hashtag for coach Aldin Ayo to return to the head coaching post after he left the program under a dark cloud.
There’s even a change.org petition that already has garnered 2,138 signatures as of publishing.
For current UST mentor Jinino Manansala, he is taking everything as part of the territory of where he is at.
“Magkaibigan kami ni coach (Aldin) ever since at malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanya,” said the multi-time NAASCU champion. “Kung ano yung maging desisyon, sususportahan ko po siya. Basta kami ngayon dito sa bubble, naka-focus muna kami.
“Dun naman sa ‘Let Ayo Coach’, siguro it will take time pero praying na maging maayos. Nakapagpundar kami talaga ng mga player. It takes time. Hintay lang kami. Kung babalik or hindi, it’s okay.”
Ultimately, these things are above Manansala’s paygrade.
According to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation, the UAAP’s Board of Trustees has yet to re-tackle Ayo’s situation. But UST’s rector Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P can add it to the agenda during the BOT’s once-a-month meeting.
Ayo was handed an indefinite ban by the league due to him hosting an alleged training bubble in Sorsogon back in August of 2020.
Manansala, meanwhile, already has his hands full in terms of ensuring that the Growling Tigers end Season 84 on a high note.
As a UST-lifer, all he wants is the best for his beloved alma mater. Come what may, nothing is going to change that.
“Ako, Thomasian graduate ako and I love UST and kung ano maging desisyon nila kay coach Aldin, tatanggapin namin.”
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