SANTA ROSA, Laguna. – Banned indefinitely in the UAAP, did Cebu Chooks head trainer Aldin Ayo use the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 Asia Pacific Super Quest as a tonic?
Ayo disagreed, saying getting a chance to coach anew was already a big motivation.
“Being here is enough for me, every time na nabibigyan ng chance na makapag-coach sa ganito is already a big motivation for me,” Ayo said. “Aside from that, hindi na ako nag-iisip nang kung ano. I always make sure na kapag may opportunity na ganito, bigay lahat.”
A champion coach in the NCAA with Letran and in the UAAP with La Salle, Ayo guided the Cebu Chooks 3×3 quartet of Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, Cameroonian Mike Harry Nzeusseu, and Fil-Canadian Brandon Ramirez to the title Saturday at the Ayala Malls Solenad Activity Center here.
Ayo is appealing an indefinite suspension slapped on him by the UAAP after he brought UST players to practice in his hometown of Sorsogon City amid the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic from mid-June to August 2020.
Winning the crown in the FIBA 3×3 level 8 tourney against Mongolia’s Sansar MMC Energy was sweet tonic for Ayo.
“Lahat naman ng championship palaging special. Ito special kasi coming from pandemic na hindi naman alam kung ano ang mangyayari,” Ayo said. “This is my first championship after the pandemic. So, this is special.”
