By Jerome Lagunzad
Newly-installed University of Santo Tomas tactician Aldin Ayo hit the ground running for the Tigers yesterday, signaling the start of the team’s intensive buildup for the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament.
Ayo, 40, with two collegiate titles tucked under his belt, is expected to have his hands full in trying to turn things around for the once proud UST basketball program.
But the proud Sorsogon native, who’s been given a long six-year deal that will also allow him to take control of the juniors cage team known as the Tiger Cubs, is optimistic that he can live up to expectations – sooner than later.
“I believe that I can coach here the way things should be,” Ayo was quoted as saying by The Varsitarian, UST’s school organ, during his formal presentation last Thursday at the Quadricentennial Pavillion.
“We haven’t achieved anything yet. I think hindi (dapat) congratulations (‘yung pagbati). They should wish me luck because this will not be easy. But rest assured that everyone will be given equal opportunities so walang (magiging) problema.”
The daunting task of helping UST regain its lost glory won’t fall on Ayo’s broad shoulders alone.
Veteran Boni Garcia, fresh from steering Colegio de San Lorenzo to the UCBL Season 2 crown last year, will serve as one of his new assistant coaches along with ex-Adamson high school deputy Rene Baena.
Former Letran standout McJour Luib, who played an instrumental role in the Knights’ NCAA title run under the tutelage of Ayo back in 2015, will continue to be with Ayo as well as Kristoffer Co, being groomed as the team’s scout.
All four assistants are expected to help ease the load off Ayo as they look to whip the Growling Tigers into their most dangerous form after winning just a single match in the 14-game elimination round last year – the worst UAAP showing in school history.
“From now on every practice will serve as a form of evaluation. Every practice that we will conduct, we’ll make sure na makikita namin kung sino ang deserving, sino ang fit, at sino makakatulong sa team natin,” Ayo said.
Tipped to catch the eyes of Ayo and his coaching staff are holdovers Marvin Lee, Regie Boy Basibas, Jordan Sta. Ana, Carlos Escalambre and Cameroonian center Steve Akomo aside from returnees Embons Bonleon and Renzo Subido.
“We’re going to maximize their potentials,” added Ayo. “I’m just going to allow them to play, make sure they enjoy the game and of course we’re going to instill the work ethic that we want because this season, we’re going to be the hardest working team, talagang magta-trabaho kami.”