Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
University of Santo Tomas officially welcomed Aldin Ayo as the new head coach of its men’s basketball team.
“As the university moves forward in preparation for the next season, the Thomasian community welcomes the new head coach of the UST Growling Tigers, coach Aldin Ayo,” the school wrote in a statement released on Monday through the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics’ Twitter account.
UST welcomes Coach Aldin Ayo as the Head Coach of the Growling Tigers! pic.twitter.com/w8I9wALAcA
— IPEA (@ust_ipea) January 8, 2018
The statement also is well aware of Ayo’s situation with La Salle. His contract expired at the end of last year that led to UST pursuing the services of the 40-year-old mentor, who won championships in his stops in Letran in the NCAA and La Salle in the UAAP.
The school also raised two key points which led to it deciding to go with the Sorsogon-native Ayo.
“First, the basketball program that he espouses is based on discipline that gives primary importance to the academic life of the student-athletes, believing that athletes who are hardworking in their studies are likewise those who are able to handle themselves properly both on and off the court. This is the same ideal that UST has constantly advocated since the inception of its athletic program,” it said.
“Second, coach Ayo is a well-accomplished coach who is likewise more than willing to accommodate the university’s modest salary scheme, thus demonstrating his desire to provide guidance to his players in this educative process outweighs all else.”
UST brass expressed confidence that Ayo can turn the Growling Tigers’ fortunes around after the team missed the UAAP Final Four for the last two seasons, including a humiliating 1-13 slate, under Boy Sablan in Season 80.
“Indeed, as a Dominican institution of higher learning, we in UST actively collaborate with individuals who can help us fulfill our vision to form student-athletes to become not only competitive in their chosen fields, but more importantly respectful of their competitors,” it read. “We believe that such thrust concurs with the convictions of coach Ayo, who is himself a product of Dominican education, and whose basketball program supports the image that we in UST wish to draw in the canvass of our student-athletes.”
The school showed excitement over what the future holds for the team with Ayo in charge.
“We look forward with much hope and gratitude as we remain one with the entire UST community and alumni in our commitment to the formation of well-rounded Thomasian student-athletes through excellent sports program.”
UST reportedly inked Ayo to a six-year deal. He is set to be formally introduced on Thursday.