Aldin Ayo returning to Letran? 'Not under my umbrella!' says Chua

Aldin Ayo is not returning to Letran at least according to sports consultant Alfrancis Chua. Nikki Collantes (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Letran's special assistant for sports development Alfrancis Chua essentially denied a swirling rumor that Coach Aldin Ayo could be on his way back to his alma mater.

"Not under my umbrella. No way!" Chua said in a comment in current Knights coach Bonnie Tan's thread.

Tan reacted to the Ayo transfer rumor in jest, saying, "May kulang ata sa tweet. Nakikipag-swap ng position lang naman," referring to a rumored coaching swap that will see Ayo returning to to the Knights and Tan, a UST alumnus, making his way to the Tigers.

Rumors of Ayo, the hero in Letran's win over JRU in Game 1 of the 1999 NCAA Finals and the head coach in Letran's 2015 NCAA title run, returning to his school became rife just as reports surfaced that he already resigned as UST mentor amid the probe on the alleged training bubble in Capuy, Sorsogon, which is not yet allowed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Chua, who played for the Squires before suiting up for the Growling Tigers, doused cold water to the rumor and commented, "Baka sa ibang Letran papunta coach nila. Iisa lang [na] Letran ang alam ko at ang coach doon si Bonnie Tan."

Tan led the Knights to the championship last year, beating arch rivals San Beda Red Lions in a classic three-game series.

The UAAP Board of Managing Directors has already recommended the possible penalties that will be given to Ayo and the rest of the Growling Tigers for the alleged bubble to the Board of Trustees, which will meet anytime soon to either approve, veto, or modify the sanctions.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno_