Ax falls on Ayo: ex-Tigers coach banned indefinitely
Last Monday, a government body overseeing sports during the pandemic agreed to give amateur athletes the go signal to train—although after the drafting of strict health protocols.
It was too late, though, for a coach who put young kids at risk with an unauthorized out-of-town workout program.
Aldin Ayo, who won back-to-back titles in two different collegiate leagues, was banned indefinitely by the UAAP as a result of a monthslong training he put the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigers through in a “bubble” environment in his hometown of Sorsogon City, in Barangay Capuy.
“After thorough deliberation, the BOT (board of trustees) ratified the decision of the BMD (board of managing directors) to ban … Ayo indefinitely from participating, in any capacity, in all UAAP events and UAAP-sanctioned activities,” the league announced in a statement on Wednesday.
It might not be the last time the ax will fall.
As a result of Ayo’s actions, UST faces sanctions, too, putting in peril the athletic and scholastic lives of student-athletes who hardly had an inkling about what was going on in Sorsogon.
Ayo has since resigned from his post, following the footsteps of Fr. Jannel Abogado, the former director of Institute of Physical Education and Athletics.
But the damage had already been done.
UST is being probed by the joint administrative order group comprised of the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Health, and Games and Amusements Board, along with the Commission on Higher Education.
The group will also take a look at National University (NU), whose volleyball team also allegedly violated government lockdown orders.
Their cases have been elevated to the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government for examination. Both agencies have sanctioning powers.
As news of Ayo’s suspension spread on social media, so did a YouTube link of NU reserve libero Benok Ancheta’s vlog. The video, shot at Jhocson Residences and published on Aug. 4, shows Ancheta, his teammates, and members of the women’s, boy’s, and girl’s teams training at a parking lot.
