UST LOST Mark Nonoy, a homegrown talent and last year’s UAAP Rookie of the Year who opted to move to another school with the Growling Tigers’ future in doubt following the Sorsogon training “bubble” conducted by resigned coach Aldin Ayo during the pandemic.
Also leaving the squad with Nonoy is Deo Cuajao, who both bid farewell in separate social media posts on Monday morning.
In a Facebook post, Nonoy said he had to consider his career.
“Napakabigat man para sa loob ko, kinakailangan ko ng katiyakan sa aking career para makapagfocus ulit sa basketball. Dahil ilang weeks na akong binabagabag ng kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng atin team,” he wrote.
Nonoy profusely thanked the UST community, especially Ayo recalling how the coach trusted him and recruited him from Negros Occidental.
“Habambuhay ko tatanawin ang utang na loob ko po sa kanya kasi kung hndi dahil sa kanya wala po ako sa kinatatayuan ko ngayon,” Nonoy said.
Nonoy did not say where he would play next despite reports that he had been recruited by De La Salle University.
“Ano man natutunan ko sa UST dadalhin ko yan habambuhay saan man ako mapunta,” he said. “Akin po munang kokonsultahin ang aking pamilya para sa mga susunod na hakbang na aming gagawin.”
Nonoy won last season’s ROY honors with 11.11 ppg, 3.83 apg and 2.78 apg while Cuajao gunned 17.5 ppg in two PBA D-League games.
Like Nonoy, Cuajao was reluctant to leave the Tigers, tweeting: “Hanggang sa huli, umaasa akong magkakaroon ng linaw at maayos na patutunguhan ang team despite sa lahat ng pinagdaanan namin.”
UST already lost team captain CJ Cansino, Rhenz Abando, Brent Paraiso, and Ira Bataller in the wake of the Sorsogon training, which could penalize other school officials.
Ayo has been banned indefinitely from the UAAP but he said he would ask the league’s board to reconsider. R.B.R.Fuertes Jr.
