For the past two years, the proud University of Santo Tomas program endured numerous controversies.
A team that looked like it can win the school its first UAAP crown since 2006 was disbanded prematurely and question marks still linger about the events that led to a very public breakup.
Ultimately, though, everyone has to get on with their lives. After a painful off-season and start to the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, UST finally came out on top after it defeated University of the East, 74-62, Thursday evening at the closed-door SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Ito naman para sa Thomasian community,” said UST coach Jinino Manansala. “Every game, dine-dedicate namin yan sa Thomasian community. Ito na po yung hinihintay nila na panalo. Long way to go, diba? Our families, malayo kami sa kanila. Salamat sa dasal.
“We dedicate this also to Aldin Ayo. Miss na namin siya.
“Yung mga sumusuporta sa amin, si boss Ryan Roxas at Atty. Nilo Divina,” he continued about their new team managers.
Unless a few years pass and until the program wins a UAAP title again, there will always be questions about what happened to the UST basketball team that resided in the alleged training bubble in Sorsogon, which is Ayo’s home province. The fallout was painful for the school as numerous personalities were forced to leave.
Ayo ended up coaching in the MPBL and is now mentoring the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 program, Mark Nonoy is starting to make a name for himself with De La Salle University, Rhenz Abando is adjusting well to life with Letran College, and the person who blew the whistle, CJ Cansino, is enjoying life as a University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon.
Just like in all things, UST simply has to move on from that debacle.
“Sa una pa lang, gusto na namin talaga makuha yung panalo” added the former St. Clare College mentor. “Gusto namin i-prove na kahit yung nangyari sa amin na pinaghirapan since nag bubble kami, ito very thankful kami sa panalo na to.”
“Sabi nga namin kanina, wag muna kami magcelebrate. We still have a long way to go. Basta one game at a time kami. Mag-prepare kami para sa Adamson sa Saturday.”
After so many controversies, the only way to go is up for UST. The Growling Tigers’ win over the Red Warriors has started the healing process for the proud school. The road to get back on top is always tough but it is victories like these that make everything worth it.
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