By Kristel Satumbaga
The UAAP Board is planning to tackle the appeal of former University of Santo Tomas coach Aldin Ayo who was banned indefinitely from the league for leading the so-called Sorsogon bubble.
In a statement, the league said it has received the letter from UST endorsing Ayo’s appeal.
“The association will tackle the appeal in due time,” the statement read.
Last month, the UAAP Board of Trustees ratified the Board of Managing Directors’ recommendation to slap Ayo with an indefinite ban.
Interestingly, the decision was based on the report submitted by UST’s fact-finding committee on the alleged training bubble that happened in Sorsogon that showed Ayo endangering the health of the student-athletes under his wings.
However, the office of Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero certified a police report that cleared Ayo of any legal liability.
Ayo even said in a statement that he has “dutifully raised matters overlooked by the UST fact-finding committee in their findings which became the basis for the UAAP decision. These pertinent matters, if properly considered, may significantly alter the decision of the UAAP board.”
In a sworn statement that during their stay in Capuy, Sorsogon, Ayo said the players were engaged in “farm work” and were allowed to train in the basketball court and gyms individually as opposed to reports.
They have also obtained necessary travel documents, conducted tests and followed the 14-day quarantine.
