BACOLOD City – An opportunity to play for Manila-based school University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers was an answered prayer for Negrense forward Aldave Dale Canoy after passing on it the first time around.
The Bacolod City-native told Panay News on Tuesday that Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo reached out to him a few years ago, but he chose to stay with the STI-West Negros University Mustangs.
“Mabuti na lang po talaga at nandyan pa din ‘yung offer ni coach Aldin,” Canoy said. “Ako nagpapasalamat lang ako sa UST at bibigyan nila ako ng opportunity na makalaro sa Manila.”
“Excited na akong makalaro doon. Kahit na next year pa ako eligible to play, I am very excited to join the Tigers, na para din makaadapt ako sa sistema ni coach Aldin,” he added.
Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo said that the commitment was formalized following the meeting between UST assistant coach Kristoffer Co and Canoy’s camp on Monday evening.
“Canoy has agreed to transfer to UST Tigers. Since he has played for one year with STI-WNU, he must sit out one year and will be good to go for us in UAAP Season 84,” Ayo said.
“Canoy is a welcome addition to the Growling Tigers as he plays like Rhenz (Abando) but we will convert him to shooting guard,” he added. “I already saw his talent when he was still in high school there in Bacolod City.”
Canoy, standing at six-foot-one and having a wingspan of six-foot-3, will be the second baller in the Tiger’s den aside from Rookie of the Year awardee Mark Nonoy, who hails from La Carlota City./PN
