Tiger Cubs chief tactician Chris Cantonjos has called it quits vowing never to coach again for UST, citing the lack of enough support from school officials.
Cantonjos, a vital piece in the Growling Tigers’ legendary championship run in the 90s, announced his resignation after the Cubs lost to the National University in the stepladder semifinals last Feb 20.
“Final na. Kahit na i-reacquire ulit ako, hindi na (ulit). Kumbaga, nawala ang puso ko pero hindi sa UST. Sabi ko nga, worth fighting for ang UST,” he said. “Heto na rin ‘yung last time na magko-coach ako sa UST.”
Cantonjos’ departure came as UST hopes to revitalize its basketball program with the hiring of Aldin Ayo as the coach of the Growling Tigers.
Reports that one of Ayo’s deputies was set to take over the Cubs, Cantonjos admitted, affected the team’s performance in the second round where UST only won two out of seven games.
“‘Yung support, hindi balanced… Kahit encouragement, walang nakuhang encouragement ang mga players,” said Cantonjos whose team tallied a 5-2 win-loss slate in the first round.
“Kailangan ko lang respect at ipaglalaban kita hanggang dulo… sana na-clarify nila na hindi totoo ‘yung [speculations].”
Still, Cantonjos thanked UST for the coaching experience.
“Ito ang pinakamagandang experience sa akin,” he said, noting the Cubs should “keep playing” and not prefer one coach over another.
Prior to his coaching stint with the Cubs, Cantonjos was the head coach of the Growling Tigresses that had two semifinals appearances from 2011 to 2016.
The name of Tigers assistant coach Randy Alcantara has been floated as his possible replacement.
Alcantara brought the Malayan-Mapua Red Robins to the NCAA finals three times and won the title in 2016.
Apologetic Ayo
UST Growling Tigers coach Aldin Ayo said last Feb. 22 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.
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.
