ESPAÑA seems to be drenched these days, not by its infamous flood woes during the rainy season, but with applicants for the University of Santo Tomas coaching job.
Thailand national basketball team strategist Chris Daleo has applied as coaching consultant, while former Growling Tigers assistant coach Jiniño Manansala is reportedly seeking the post vacated by controversial coach Aldin Ayo who stepped down last Sept. 4.
Manansala joined the likes of fellow UST alumni Bethune “Siot” Tanquingcen, Estong Ballesteros, Chris Cantonjos, Ed Cordero, Gilbert Lao, and Sebastian “Potit” De Vera,
Daleo, 55, is the third non-Thomasian who has applied for the job after former pro league star import Sean Chambers of Alaska and former PBA coach and now Rain or Shine deputy Chris Gavina.
Ayo was banned indefinitely by the UAAP last Sept. 9 over allegations that he brought his charges, mostly below 21 years old, to his hometown of Capuy, Sorsogon City and held a bubble training from mid-June to August.
Daleo called the shots for the Thai team that won the silver medal behind the Tim Cone-mentored Gilas Pilipinas side in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila last December.
He also coached Hi-Tech Bangkok City and guided the women’s basketball squad to a silver medal in the Kuala Lumpur SEAG in 2017.
