By Kristel Satumbaga
Mark Nonoy and Deo Cuajao bid farewell to the University of Santo Tomas men’s basketball team as they confirmed earlier reports of going to the Taft-based La Salle Archers.
In a social media post, both Nonoy and Cuajao thanked the school for giving them the opportunity to play and represent the university colors.
Sources disclosed that both Nonoy and Cuajao will be officially become Archers on Monday.
The duo also thanked former UST coach Aldin Ayo and his coaching staff, who resigned due to the Sorsogon training bubble controversy.
“I’m very thankful sa lahat ng coaching staff lalong-lalo na po sa kay Aldin Ayo na nagtiwalang kumuha sakin mula sa province to Manila at nagbigay sakin ng kumpiyansa pagdating sa court at sa pagguide niya sa akin kahit off the court upang maging mabuting tao,” Nonoy wrote on his Instagram post.
“Ang dami kong natutunan sa kanila at minolde nila ang aking pagkatao,” Cuajao wrote.
Nonoy and Cuajao admitted it wasn’t an easy decision to leave the team, but they had to in order to focus on their basketball careers.
“Napakabigat man para sa loob ko, kinakailangan ko ng katiyakan sa aking career para makapagfocus ulit sa basketball. Dahil ilang weeks na akong binabagabag ng kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng ating team,” Nonoy wrote.
“Kinakailangan ko na talagang magdisisyon at maghanap ng katiyakan para sa career ko dahil dito ko binubuo ang pangarap ko para sa pamilya ko,” Cuajao wrote.
Despite these, the two players hope the UST Tigers will rise to the challenge. Five other players have already left the squad in the middle of the controversy that include CJ Cansino, Ira Bataller, Brent Paraiso, Jun Asuncion and Rhenz Abando.
“Hanggang sa huli, umaasa akong magkakaron ng linaw at maayus na patutunguhan ang team despite sa lahat ng pinagdaraanan namin,” Cuajao wrote.
