MANILA – University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo admitted that it is not coincidental that the school’s high school and collegiate teams are surrounded by province-based players, including some from Western Visayas.
Ayo said he always wanted to recruit province-based players rather than blue-chip recruits in Manila since they are more motivated players and do not ask for unnecessary benefits.
“It’s an honor for us to give opportunities to players who come from provinces. We’re going to take good care of them,” Ayo told Panay News. “Some of them really wanted to play for us.”
In the collegiate level, the Growling Tigers have La Carlota City-native Mark Nonoy, who went on to win the rookie of the year in UAAP Season 82, Christian Manaytay of Roxas City, Capiz and Bacolodnons Aldave Canoy and Daniel Coo.
In high school, the Tiger Cubs snagged Hua Siong College of Iloilo’s Dave Bagatnan, Julian Mavrick Puerto and Cedrick Manzano; Santa Clarita International School’s Rogelle Alvaladejo and Michael Jayme; and Bacolodnon Leobert Andrew Casinillo.
“They are standouts from their respective schools and provinces, but also, those players are really talented and have good character,” Ayo said. “Some of them I personally saw when they played in a tournament in Iloilo City last year.” “Some of them really wanted to go to UST maybe because they saw how we have molded and developed our province-based players,” he added. “It also helps that I know how they feel because I myself was also a province-based player before (with Letran) in the NCAA.”/PN
