MANILA – The appeal of former University of Santo Tomas (UST) men’s basketball team head coach Aldin Ayo will be in play as Negrense guard Mark Nonoy and Vince Deo Cuajao decide on their next career move.
Jax Chua of Phenom Sports Management, who handles the career of Nonoy and Cuajao, said the two cagers are still waiting if the UST will endorse Ayo’s appeal to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ (UAAP) decision to indefinitely ban him from coaching in the league.
“Both Mark and Deo are loyal to coach Aldin. So we are waiting if UST will endorse coach Aldin’s appeal on UAAP’s indefinite ban before we decide on their next move,” Chua told Panay News.
Ayo sent a statement last Friday that he is planning to file a motion for reconsideration for his indefinite banishment from the UAAP. However, he needs an endorsement from a school official to get it rolling.
Chua also denied a Spin.ph report on Sunday that Nonoy and Cuajao had committed to the De La Salle University Green Archers, but admitted that it is among the frontrunners along with San Beda University Red Lions.
“I understand that people are excited about where Mark and Deo are headed but let us wait for them to decide on where they want to play next because their future is on the line here,” Chua said.
“Hirap sila because of their loyalty to coach Aldin at gusto talaga nila mag-stay sa UST. But at the same time, time is running out since enrollment for the first semester in all schools is coming to a close,” he added.
Nonoy, a former Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix standout, played a key role for the Growling Tigers in their runner-up finish in the UAAP Season 82 and was hailed as the Rookie of the Year.
Cuajao, on the other hand, was used sparingly by Ayo in his rookie days but flourished during the offseason. He was tipped to take over CJ Cansino, who decided to bolt out of UST to join the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons./PN
