THE gutting of University of Santo Tomas’s (UST) men’s basketball team is nearly complete.
Word is Mark Nonoy and Deo Cuajao are the latest among the Growling Tigers to decamp. This time bound for De La Salle.
That brings to seven players who have left—CJ Cansino to University of the Philippines; Rhenz Abando, Ira Battaler and Brent Paraiso to Letran; Jun Asuncion to Mapua; and now Nonoy and Cuajao. And word is, it isn’t over.
Head Coach Aldin Ayo has resigned with his assistants, McJour Luib and Jinno Manansala also out. Ayo was suspended indefinitely from coaching in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) but not in other leagues.
I agree he should be suspended. Indefinitely is rather harsh. Furthermore, he couldn’t have done this alone. Others are just as culpable and complicit. Was he the fall guy?
Save for Asuncion, all the others played vital roles in last season’s run up to the UAAP finals. And to think they already lost Renzo Subido, Zach Huang, and Enrique Caunan to graduation.
Who else was left from the rotation of UST—Sherwin Concepcion and Soulemane Chabi Yo.
In the meantime, there is still no final decision by all the parties investigating the case on any punishment for UST.
This slowness of this has hurt UST player-wise. No “quarantine” was placed on the players to prevent any poaching. And to make matters worse, it isn’t only the basketball team that is affected.
I have learned that even the athletes on the other teams are growing restless and are concerned, and asking questions. Will there be a blanket-wide suspension?
Imagine the mess. The UST officials are clearly at fault. But the UAAP isn’t helping. We learned they have made their recommendations to the Board of Trustees. But there has been no word yet.
I find it weird they allowed UST to conduct its investigation. While I guess, it is respectful, I don’t think it is right. They are the ones in question. The league should have done it.
Whatever happens now, whether suspended or not, UST has almost been rendered toothless. From a near high of a UAAP title to the lowest of lows for this proud institution. And I feel for them.
If they are allowed to field a team…jeez. They are going to get massacred.
I still am at a loss that Ayo and company deigned to even do this. It was completely irresponsible.
What makes it maddening is the fall out (the player transfers). This could have been really avoided.
Unfortunately, a lot of people are going to pay for their arrogance.
And now, how long will it take to rebuild their program (and other teams if they are indeed going to be affected)? They already cannot recruit this year. If they do, who’s left? To rebound from this will take at least two years, maybe more.
You don’t have to be a UST alum to feel gutted.