THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas has thrown its support behind former basketball coach Aldin Ayo’s appeal, with a school official describing the UAAP’s indefinite ban against him as “too harsh.”
“UST has endorsed the letter of appeal of coach Aldin Ayo subject to the qualification that it stands by the report of its fact-finding committee,” the official told the Varsitarian on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak on the matter publicly.
“We strongly believe that the penalty imposed by the esteemed UAAP board (was) too harsh.”
Ayo was earlier banished from the UAAP over a Sorsogon training “bubble” he allegedly conducted for some of his places despite the pandemic quarantine.
The league’s decision was based on UST’s finding that he had “endangered the health and well-being of the student athletes under his charge when he conducted the training during a government-declared state of emergency.”
Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero later cleared Ayo of any violation of existing health protocols, citing the investigation of the provincial police.
Ayo, who had resigned before the UAAP decision came out, said the police findings would provide a “big boost” to his appeal. Rommel Bong R. Fuertes Jr.
