UST Growling Tigers coach Aldin Ayo said Wednesday he was willing to apologize to resigned juniors’ mentor Chris Cantonjos, denying he was planning to replace him.
Ayo said he even planned to include Cantonjos, an amateur standout for UST in the 90s, in his seniors’ coaching staff.
“I look up to him. He had a great background and more than that, wala kaming coaching staff na kaya mag-handle sa mga big man. Siya ‘yun because he is a legend in UST and one of the big men that UST had,” Ayo told the Varsitarian in an exclusive interview.
Cantonjos earlier announced his resignation amid reports Ayo was planning to put someone else in charge of the Tiger Cubs.
“Sa akin, if we have offended him, hindi namin sinasadya na mangyari… Kung nakaramdam siya ng ganoon, with all sincerity, I would like to apologize to him,” Ayo said.
The 40-year-old tactician denied he was eyeing assistant coach Randy Alcantara to coach the Cubs, who lost to the Nazareth School of National University Bullpups on Tuesday.
The new assignment, Ayo said, would be difficult for Alcantara, who also coaches Mapua’s junior and senior teams in the NCAA, and Tanduay in the PBA Developmental League.
Ayo also sought to clarify his decision to speak with juniors’ MVP CJ Cansino to join the Tigers. Cantonjos was reportedly not told the new Tigers coach was reaching out to his top ward.
UST athletics moderator Rodrigo Sambuang had given his go-signal for the discussion, Ayo said. M.A. C. Camacho and J.C. Anolin
