MANILA – University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers men’s basketball team head coach Aldin Ayo admitted that the school’s most decorated mentor Januario “Aric” del Rosario was his role model as a tactician.
The one-time National Collegiate Athletic Association and University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion said that it was Del Rosario who inspired him to become a basketball tactician after seeing the latter steer UST to four straight championships from 1993-1996.
“Malaki ang impact sa akin ni coach Aric, lalo na ‘yung four-peat team niya,” Ayo said. “Isa siya sa mga dahilan kung bakit ako nagpursigi na makapunta sa Manila.”
“During that time, halos lahat ng mga players gustong pumunta ng UST, kaya ang hirap pumasok sa UST noon. Kahit tryouts hindi ako nakapunta,” added Ayo, who ended up playing for UST’s sister school Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Ayo also revealed that prior to his first game as UST’s coach in the UAAP two seasons ago, he had a lengthy discussion with del Rosario.
Ayo said: “Matagal din kaming nag-usap and marami siyang binigay na advice. Napakarami niyang tinuro, pero may dalawa siyang pointers na binigyan niya talaga ng emphasis sa akin.”
“Una, ‘yung passion sa game. Dapat mahal mo ang trabaho mo at ang ginagawa mo. Kwento niya sa akin kung gaano kahirap ang sitwasyon nila noon. Wala masyadong budget kaya sarili niyang pera ang ginagastos niya para sa mga players at para sa team,” he added.
“Pangalawa, kailangan ko raw maging tatay sa mga players. Alam mo na ang mga responsibilities ng isang tatay at kailangan mo disiplinahin ang mga players na yan. Mahalin mo ang mga yan at susuklian din nila ng pagmamahal ang ipinakita mo sa kanila,” Ayo further said.
Del Rosario passed away at the age of 80 on Wednesday evening due to cardiac arrest. He was also tested for possible coronavirus disease 2019, but the result has yet to come out./PN
