UST accepts resignation of Ayo, Luib, Manansala

University of Santo Tomas will have no coach to steer its men’s and boys’ basketball teams moving forward. 

The school has accepted the resignations of Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo, lead assistant McJour Luib, and Tiger Cubs head coach Jinino Manansala.

All three are under the school’s investigation of the Growling Tigers’ training camp in Capoy, Sorsogon that was held from June to August.

“It is with a heavy heart that the University of Santo Tomas accepts the resignation of Mr. Aldin Ayo, Head Coach of the UST Men’s Basketball Team, together with the resignations of Mr. Mcjour Luib and Mr. Jinino Manansala as Assistant Coaches,” read the statement of UST’s secretary-general.

Last Monday, Ayo submitted his resignation letter to the school but only received a reply on Friday afternoon.

It was then accepted by the school Friday evening. UST then crafted its official statement and released it on Saturday morning.

Ayo, who left a powerhouse La Salle squad to coach a rebuilding UST team back in 2017, leaves with a 14-17 slate (3-2 in the playoffs. He guided UST to a silver finish in the UAAP Season 82 tournament — two years after the Growling Tigers finished dead last.

Luib is Ayo’s loyal soldier, having been with Ayo since NCAA Season 91. He transitioned into coaching back in UAAP Season 79.

Manansala is the former head coach of St. Clare, who brought two-and-through guard Joshua Fontanilla to UST. He was supposed to take over the Tiger Cubs program from Bonnie Garcia.

For the last two weeks, Ayo and the Growling Tigers have been under investigation for the Bicol bubble. The Joint Administrative Order group and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines have been part of the probe.

The Department of Justice is also set to review UST’s report on Monday.

“Rest assured that the university will remain committed to the welfare of the student-athletes and that the process of rebuilding athletic programs, particularly that of the Men’s Basketball Team, through compassion and competence, will commence,” continued UST’s statement.

Besides Ayo, Fr. Jannel Abogado, OP also resigned from his post as IPEA athletics director last August 18.