Ayo says La Salle move not for money, denies signing lucrative contract

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

La Salle coach Aldin Ayo set the record straight and said that while his contract with La Salle is ending this month, that doesn’t mean that he’s going anywhere.

At least for the next few months.

“I just signed a contract with La Salle last September that will expire this December. But we have an arrangement with the managers,” he said after La Salle failed to defend its crown and settled for a runner-up finish in UAAP Season 80 on Sunday.

Ayo also finally addressed the reported lucrative deal that sent him packing from Letran to La Salle, saying that the supposed three-year, P9-million contract was nothing but a hoax.

“I just want to clarify it to you guys because since I went from Letran to La Salle, I’m bothered by the messages I’ve been receiving about the contract I signed with La Salle. That’s not true,” he said.

The fiesty coach also said that he didn’t necessarily need a contract to continue assuming his duties for the Green Archers. “It’s ok for me if I don’t have a contract because I trust the bosses.”

What upset him the most, however, was the contract rumors have hurt his reputation since leaving for Taft.

“It seems like I’m doing this for money, but that’s not the case. I’m doing this because I love basketball, this opportunity, and I just want to win,” he said. “I have enough and I have a simple lifestyle. I’m a politician and it’s my reputation that’s getting destroyed. That’s my plea because all of those talks are not true.”

Ayo hopes that speaking out on the issue will finally put the talks to rest as he would rather focus on his current job with the Green Archers.

“It’s not my fault that I’m here in La Salle. I’m grateful that I’m here because when La Salle hired me, I didn’t have any plans on coming back here in Manila. In spite the fact that a lot of things have been said about me, I forgive them all,” he said.