Aldin Ayo resigns as Chooks 3×3 head trainer to tend to ailing mom

Aldin Ayo is resigning from his post as Chooks to Go 3×3 trainer. –CHOOKS TO GO PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Aldin Ayo has stepped down as the head trainer of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 team.

The management on Friday announced that the 44-year-old coach made the decision to resign from his post to take care of his mother, who has been diagnosed with stage four cancer.

“It was a tough decision to leave Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas but I need to be on my mom’s side in the battle that she is facing,” said Ayo, who is the only son of his 69-year-old mom.

“I’m very grateful to Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. and Boss Ronald Mascariñas for giving me the opportunity to train and coach the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 National Team and to represent the country through the sport we love most. I’m forever grateful.”

Chico Lanete, who played for the team, will take over as the interim coach in the meantime.

After the infamous Sorsogon bubble with University of Santo Tomas that led to his indefinite ban in the UAAP, Ayo was tapped to call the shots for the team, replacing Eric Altamirano last November 2020.

Under Ayo, the 3×3 team ruled the 2022 Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 Super Quest — the country’s first title in the pro circuit since 2014.

The team lost to Liman Huishan NE, 21-8, and Fribourg, 21-18, last July 22 in the Fiba 3×3 Lipik Challenger.

“We are thankful for the service of Coach Aldin Ayo not just to our teams but also to our organization. He brought a lot of changes to the way our team was run,” said Mascariñas. “Coach Aldin will always be family to us and we will be here for him and his family in these trying times.”

Ayo promised to help Lanete and the team with the transition.