UAAP hits ex-UST coach Aldin Ayo with indefinite ban

MANILA, Philippines — The UAAP has imposed an indefinite ban on former University of Santo Tomas head coach Aldin Ayo, the league announced.

“After a thorough deliberation, the UAAP BOT ratified the decision of the BMD to ban coach Aldin Ayo indefinitely from participating in any capacity, in all UAAP events and UAAP sanctioned-activities,” the league said in a statement Wednesday.

“The ban is based on the UST report that showed Ayo endangering the health and well-being of the student athletes under his charge when he conducted the training during a government-declared state of public emergency intended to arrest the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Ayo has been under fire after being front and center of the UST men’s basketball team fiasco in relation to its bubble training camp in Capuy, Sorsogon.

UST held its training camp as early as June when most areas of Luzon were still placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Ayo, who coached the Growling Tigers for two UAAP seasons which include a finals run last year, resigned from his post last week.

The ban on Ayo could be an indication of what’s to come in the next several weeks with the Commission of Higher Education (CHEd) involving the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also conducting a probe on potential violations by UST.

The university is facing possible UAAP suspension for alleged breach of quarantine protocols amid the pandemic lockdown.

The controversy has also left UST reeling from an exodus of players including its former captain CJ Cansino and rising star Rhenz Abando.

Cansino has already transferred to University of the Philippines while Abando, along with other ex-Tigers in Brent Paraiso and Ira Bataller, have committed to Letran.