As the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers were inside the dugout, they were handed shirts that had ‘AYO 4 ONE FOR UST’ printed at the back of it. Safe to say, Aldin Ayo did not know about it.
It is UST’s way of showing Ayo that they are glad that he is on their side. And the brass of the Growling Tigers has pledged its full support to Ayo’s vision, through thick or thin.
“I appreciate the support of the UST community, I appreciate the support of the managers, the priests. Di ko nga alam na may mga t-shirt na ganun eh. Di ko nga alam na alam nila yung number ko when I was still playing,”expressed Ayo, who was officially named as the Growling Tigers’ head coach back in January 8, 2018.
“But I told the players na, ‘Guys, di ko alam na may mga ganiyan eh. This is not for me, this is for UST. Let’s play for UST, let’s play for our Alma Mater.'”
In his first meeting against his former squad De La Salle Green Archers, Ayo and his team were on the receiving end of a 72-99 romping — the same margin Ayo used to hand UST back when he was still with La Salle.
But even in defeat, the decorated tactician admitted that he would rather be where he is right now than be in La Salle.
“For me, I’m very happy, very much contented that I’m on the other side. Because I know the feeling pag dun [La Salle] ka nagco-coach. So even though ganito yung outcome, I’m still very, very happy that I’m here in UST.
“Makikita mo naman kung tama yung naging decision mo after ten to fiftheen years. We’ll see, tingnan natin kung after ten to fifteen years kung nasan na yung mga players na yun, yung mga players namin, yung mga coaches dun, yung mga coaches dito sa UST, yung mga managers. Makikita lang natin yan after ten to fiftheen years,” opined Ayo.
Ayo knows that the maturation process of these young Tiger Cubs will take time. For his part, he will be there to guide them until they can blossom into full-pledged Growling Tigers.
“Well, pinakauna siguro yung youth. Mga bata eh. Pero for me, they deserve to win kasi yun nga, they’re working very hard and they’re playing really, really well during practices. Sabi ko nga sa mga bata, don’t quit,” a passionate Ayo said.
“It will be unfair for you guys to quit because we’re not going to quit on you. Aantayin lang namin kayo na lumabas yung laro.”
