Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

‘Probinsyano’ connection with Ayo led Rhenz Abando to UST


When asked how he went from Pangasinan to España, Rhenz Abando simply shrugged.

“‘Di ko rin alam eh. Siguro pinagtagpo siguro.”

Besides being a native of Santo Tomas, La Union, it was Abando’s destiny to be a UST Growling Tiger one day.

Second-year UST head coach Aldin Ayo had been eyeing the athletic 6-foot-2 swingman since he was with Letran and La Salle. It was easier for him to gain contact with Abando since his former Letran Knights teammate Chris Calaguio was the head coach of the Philippine College of Science and Technology’s varsity team.

“Kahit nung nasa Letran ako, pupunta sana si Rhenz. Even sa La Salle, kukunin ko sana si Rhenz,” recalled the decorated tactician.

“Itong batang ito, parang nilagay niya sa dibdib niya na kay coach Aldin ako maglalaro.”

After years of courtship, Abando ended up in UST. For Ayo, it was their connection of being raised in the province that led to it.

“Siguro yung pagiging probinsyano. Parehas kami ng background, naho-homesick sa pamilya namin at wala kaming ibang sasandalan kung [hindi] kami lang. Anytime na kailangan ng kasama, makaka-relate ka,” shared Ayo, a proud son of Sorsogon.

“I asked coach Christian sa background niya. Si Rhenz, breadwinner ‘to eh, so when you have that player, ‘di mo kailangan i-motovate yan. They’re playing for their families and their community. Athleticism, yung skillset okay na, pero na-develop niya yun sa one year niya sa UST.”

Abando delivered in his first-ever UAAP game Wednesday, finishing with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals to lead UST to a 95-82 win over UE.

#ReadMore  PBA: June Mar Fajardo too much to handle for Converge, powers SMB to second straight win

With his first game finally done, Abando hopes to continue to flourish under his dream mentor.

“Sa akin, kailangan ulit namin mag-focus sa next game. ‘Wag na namin isipin, move forward na kami sa next game.”

And just like how he ended up in UST, he is hoping that the stars align for him, Ayo, and the rest of the Growling Tigers this season.

Written By


You May Also Like

AU

University of Santo Tomas became the first team from the UAAP Group to clinch a playoff berth in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil...

Basketball

When one door closes, another opens. That’s certainly the case for both Zain Mahmood and Far Eastern University. Just two months after Veejay Pre...

AdU

Adamson University-ARQ Builders escaped with a heart-pounding 86-84 overtime win against University of Santo Tomas-Weng Burs Apartelle to capture the 2025 Mayor Kirk Asis...

Basketball

Andre Roberson is back to lead the charge for Strong Group-Pilipinas as the team aims to defend its crown in the 44th William Jones...

Basketball

When Kurt Laput committed to transferring to the University of Santo Tomas, he didn’t expect to find a familiar face waiting for him in...

Basketball

Kurt Laput is ready to take the next big leap in his basketball career — transitioning from the UCAL to the UAAP. The 5-foot-9...

Basketball

Collins Akowe isn’t going far for the next chapter of his budding basketball career in the Philippines. The Nigerian student-athlete is making the short...

Basketball

A day after parting ways with National University, Nigerian center Collins Akowe has narrowed his choices for the next chapter of his young basketball...

Advertisement