Letran’s Al Chua vehemently denies Ayo return

Anyone who knows Alfrancis Chua, whether personally or on television, knows that he does not mince words.

That trait yet again showed on social media as the Letran Knights’ special assistant to the rector for sports development emphatically denied circulating rumors that embattled UST Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo was set for a return to Intramuros.

In a public post by current Letran chief tactician Bonnie Tan on Thursday, September 3, Chua made an appearance in the comment section and settled the score on Ayo, who is reportedly on the outs in España following his debacle over the so-called “Bicol bubble.”

“Baka sa ibang Letran papunta coach nila. Iisa lang Letran ang alam ko at ang coach dun si Bonnie Tan,” said Chua, who’s also the sports director of San Miguel.

(Maybe there’s a different Letran where their coach would go. There’s only one Letran I know and Bonnie Tan is the coach there.)

“Not under my umbrella. No way!” he added in all-caps. 

Ayo and Letran do have good history between them as he led the Knights to an improbable NCAA Season 91 championship run in 2015 which stopped their fierce rival San Beda Red Lions’ six-peat title chase.

However, he followed it up with a shocking move to the La Salle Green Archers shortly afterwards and won his second straight collegiate title in his UAAP debut year in 2016.

The Knights did not see another finals appearance again until 2019, where this time they stopped the Lions’ four-peat bid and gave Tan his first championship in the collegiate ranks.

Coincidentally, Ayo led the Tigers that same year on a Cinderella run to the UAAP Season 82 finals. However, his team got swept in two games by UAAP’s own dynasty, the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Rumors swirled on Thursday that Ayo resigned as the UAAP continues its investigation on the Tigers’ alleged training camp in Sorsogon, a violation of the government’s health protocols amid the pandemic.

(UPDATE: Aldin Ayo formally resigns amid UST investigation)

The issue unraveled when UST team captain CJ Cansino left the team, followed by the exodus of other key players. – Rappler.com