NEWLY-transferred De La Salle University Green Archer Vince Deo Cuajao was saddened to see the once powerhouse University of Santo Tomas (UST) men’s basketball team vanish.
The Davaoeno guard told the Buzzer Beater that he was very much looking forward to his second year with the Growling Tigers until the “Sorsogon Bubble” controversy transpired.
“Nasasayangan talaga ako sa UST team namin. Personally, ito na sana ‘yung malaking break ko para makatulong sa team kasi last season hindi talaga ako prepared,” Cuajao said.
“Late na kasi akong dumating sa UST team last season kaya nahirapan akong mag-catch up kaya medyo nahihiya ako. Ito na sana ‘yung season na babawi ako,” he added.
Cuajao was groomed by then-UST Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo as one of the latter’s main scorers. The one-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and one-time National Collegiate Athletic Association champion coach even described Cuajao’s play as “Mark Nonoy-like.”
Cuajao even showed promise during the offseason when he played for UST in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League as well for Builders Warehouse-UST in PBA D-League giving the Thomasians hope of the UAAP crown.
Apart from Cuajao and Nonoy, the Growling Tigers also features CJ Cansino, now with the University of the Philippines, and Rhenz Abando, Ira Bataller and Brent Paraiso, now with Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights.
However, the promising squad vanished in just a snap when the controversial training in Capuy, Sorsogon came in the open based on the revelation of Cansino, which led to Ayo and his coaching staff’s resignation.
Cuajao admitted that it was a hard decision, but the uncertainty of the UST’s basketball program moving forward has led him to decide to transfer.
“Ilang araw ako walang tulog kakaisip. Sa UST ang sarap sa feeling kasi grabe ‘yung suporta ng community. Hope to get the same support sa La Salle,” said Cuajao.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko kay coach Aldin. Nilagay niya ako sa posisyon na bagay talaga sa akin at binigyan niya ako ng malaking kompiyansa sa loob ng court,” he added.
“Isa sa malaking natutunan ko kay coach Aldin na dapat hindi ka pwedeng ma-komportable dapat tuloy-tuloy lang ang pag-improve sa sarili,” he furthered. “Kahit saan man ako dalhin ng tadhana palaging may bakante sa puso ko na para sa UST.”/PN
