UAAP withholds details of UST fate as Ayo resignation looms

University of Santo Tomas braces for possible sanctions from the UAAP as talks swirl that men’s basketball coach Aldin Ayo already stepped down.

“The UAAP understands the gravity of the matter as it concerns the safety and well-being of student-athletes of a member-school,” the UAAP said in a statement on Thursday night, September 3.

The UAAP Board of Managing Directors (BMD), though, publicly withheld its recommendation to the league’s Board of Trustees (BOT) on the fate of UST and other schools under investigation for violating the government’s quarantine rules. 

“Out of respect to the member-school concerned and the decision-making process of the BOT, recommendations of the BMD cannot be made public at the moment.”

But multiple sources said the BOT, composed of all 8 school presidents, will convene soon for possible sanctions on the Tigers and Ayo following the recommendation of the BMD, which is composed of the league’s 8 athletic directors.

Reliable sources also told Rappler Sports that Ayo, however, will move ahead of the curve and step down as the team’s coach before the investigation on UST’s training “bubble” concludes.

Ayo, who is supposed to begin his third year in the Tigers’ lair in Season 83, has been embroiled in various issues the past weeks, including his falling out with team captain CJ Cansino and his alleged training sessions with the team in his hometown of Capuy, Sorsogon.

In the succeeding days following the allegations, multiple members of his team voluntarily left the school, namely Rhenz Abando, Brent Paraiso, Ira Bataller, and Jun Asuncion.

No mentions were reportedly made regarding the UP Fighting Maroons basketball team, the National University Lady Bulldogs volleyball team, and the La Salle Green Archers basketball team, who also graced headlines regarding possible violations.

Meanwhile, the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) group consisting of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) will also convene on their own on Monday, September 7, to discuss these issues.

It is unknown, however, how Ayo’s reported resignation will affect these proceedings. – Rappler.com