UST head coach Aldin Ayo. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas head coach Aldin Ayo broke his silence several days after reports came out that the Growling Tigers allegedly held a bubble training camp in Sorsogon amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, Ayo assured his full cooperation as UST and the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases begin their probe on the alleged violation of quarantine protocols in his home province with the country still under lockdown to curb the effects of the virus.
“Regarding the alleged “bubble training” in Sorsogon, I will not comment for now as UST is already investigating the matter as well as the IATF. I am fully cooperating with the on-going investigations and praying that in due time, this will be properly addressed,” Ayo said in a statement Sunday night.
“We fervently hope that our government, with our cooperation and active participation, find ways to effectively address the debilitating pandemic in our country so that we may be able to resume a certain normalcy where we could return to the game we passionately love and give our utmost drawing the best out of each one in pursuit of total human development.”
According to reports, CJ Cansino, the Growling Tigers captain, raised concerns that some of his teammates wanted to go back home to Metro Manila and it was this, the player said, that led to his removal from the squad.
The 6-foot-2 guard has since enrolled with University of the Philippines after the fallout with UST.
Ayo said that he wishes Cansino the best in his decision and he respects whatever he does so later.
“We have varying approaches and adaptation to cope with the crisis. And as we have differences in strokes for different folks, we labor to respect such differences and allow generously for people to grow in the best way they could in whatever situation best fitting them,” said Ayo. “Such is what happened in the case of CJ Cansino and the UST Basketball team under my stewardship.”
“We have found that it would be best that we part ways and allow maximum growth for each other. We wish him (Cansino) the Best of Providence in his new endeavor with a different team. We express our gratitude for the years and effort he poured so generously for UST.”