FORMER University of Santo Tomas coach Aldin Ayo was banned indefinitely in all league events and activities by the UAAP yesterday for breaching the government’s stringent COVID-19 health protocols.
“After a thorough deliberation, the UAAP Board of Trustees ratified the decision of the Board of Managing Directors to ban coach Aldin Ayo indefinitely from participating, in any capacity, in all UAAP events and UAAP sanctioned-activities,” the UAAP said in a statement.
“The ban is based on the UST report that showed Ayo endangering the health and well-being of the student athletes under his charge when he conducted the training during a government-declared state of public emergency intended to arrest the COVID-19 outbreak.”
The Board of Trustees, composed of the league’s university presidents, approved the recommendation of the Board of Managing Directors last Aug. 3 to suspend Ayo indefinitely.
“The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Board of Trustees has reviewed the recommendations of the Board of Managing Directors concerning the University of Santo Tomas Men’s Basketball Team,” added the UAAP.
“The recommendations were based on the report submitted by UST which investigated the alleged training bubble of its basketball team in Capuy, Sorsogon.”
Ayo, 42, resigned as Growling Tigers coach last Friday in the face of allegations that he violated quarantine rules when he brought his team to his hometown in Capuy, Sorsogon City and held a training bubble in mid-June to August.
UST accepted the resignation of Ayo and assistant coaches McJour Luib and Jiniño Manansala last Saturday.
The Commission on Higher Education has issued show cause orders to UST and to the National University women’s volleyball squad, also under the microscope after the Lady Bulldogs allegedly held workouts at their Sampaloc and Laguna campuses, for violating the CHED’s advisories that “prohibited mass gatherings such as ceremonies and school activities, until the IATF prohibition is lifted.”
The Sports Joint Administrative Order group, composed of the Games and Amusements Board, Department of Health, and Philippine Sports Commission also submitted to the DOJ and DILG last Monday a report for possible violations of IATF and local ordinances rules.
