Ex-UST coach Aldin Ayo appeals UAAP ban

Former UST Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo finally broke his silence on his indefinite ban, saying on Friday, September 11, that he will “seek a reconsideration” from the UAAP.

Last Wednesday, the country’s top collegiate league handed down an indefinite ban on the champion tactician, citing that he endangered the “health and well-being” of his players after holding a secret training camp in his hometown of Capuy, Sorsogon.

“I deeply feel that the indefinite ban imposed by the UAAP Board against me is not appropriate under the circumstances. I will seek a reconsideration of such sanction,” said the 42-year-old tactician.

Based on his released statement, Ayo seemed to have been “humbled” by the error of his ways, and has vowed to rise again back up the coaching ranks. (READ: Master of Mayhem: How Aldin Ayo’s coaching career unraveled)

“I have realized that no matter how driven and well-meaning you want to be, things just mess up. It gets you humbled, humiliated even, and we learn to painfully accept to just let things be,” he said.

“However, to quote a Scottish proverb: ‘I am wounded, but not slain. So, lay me low to bleed awhile, then I shall rise…’ to coach again!”

Ayo, however, is still under investigation by multlipe government agencies, including the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for his overall involvement in the “Bicol bubble.”

The out-of-town training camp was a violation of the government’s health protocols amid the pandemic. (READ: TIMELINE: Chaos follows as UST bubble bursts)

As UST reels from the controversy, several candidates have also popped up vying for the now-vacant men’s basketball coaching positions, which were left open by Ayo and assistants McJour Luib and Jinino Manansala following their resignations last September 4.

Meanwhile, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has stated that Ayo is allowed to find new coaching jobs outside the UAAP with no restrictions. – Rappler.com