PAST is past and Aldin Ayo will stand on the opposite end as University Santo Tomas (UST) faces De La Salle University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ayo’s two productive years with the Green Archers came to an end in the off-season and he will be barking for the Growling Tigers in the match set at 2 p.m.
The 40-year-old coach steered the Taft-based squad to the crown in 2016 and a runner-up finish last season to Ateneo.
Carrying a 1-3 won-loss record, Ayo hopes to take back his young team to the win column.
“That’s why I transferred here [UST], because I want to help this university. The school and the community really pour their support to basketball,” said an emotional Ayo in their first and only win so far against Far Eastern University last month.
The UST-De La Salle encounter will be the first time that Ayo will be facing his former team since he left last January. His former deputy, Louie Gonzales, is now coaching the Green Archers, who parade a 2-2 card.
De La Salle’s two-game win streak ended with a 61-67 setback to University of the Philippines, while UST absorbed its second straight defeat at the hands of Ateneo, 53-85, last week.
In the second game, FEU (2-2) tackles National University (1-3) at 4 p.m.
The Tamaraws looked vulnerable as the University of the East Red Warriors pulled off a shocker, 65-90, over the weekend.
The Bulldogs are also licking the wounds of their loss to the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 58-63.