Aldin Ayo to 'seriously talk to my mother' before making final say on coaching Converge

Coach Aldin Ayo said that is not yet committing to Converge. Nikki Collantes (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Coach Aldin Ayo clarified on Tuesday night that he has yet to say yes in accepting the job as Converge head coach amid reports that he will replace Jeffrey Cariaso as the rookie team's mentor.

Ayo even said that he was surprised when the news first broke by Spin.PH's Gerry Ramos and later confirmed by other media outfits surfaced that he will become the FiberXers' new head coach beginning with the Commissioner's Cup next month.

"I'm surprised. Things are happening so fast. I have not made any formal commitment to Converge. This might just be like the college school's coaching that did not materialize," Ayo said in a Facebook post.

The former two-time college basketball champion coach possibly pertained to rumors that surfaced in 2020 that he will return to his alma mater Letran and replace Bonnie Tan as head coach.

Tan retained his spot and even led the Knights to a second consecutive NCAA title last summer.

Despite the clarification, Ayo is "flattered" that he is being shortlisted by the Dennis Anthony Uy-owned franchise as head coach.

"I am flattered that I'm being considered as the head coach of the Converge FiberXers. This would be a big challenge and opportunity for any coach," Ayo said.

However, he maintained that he will devote his time for now to take care of his ailing mother, who he revealed on Friday as diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

"I am preoccupied at the moment with the chemotherapy of my mother," said Ayo, who resigned from his recent post as Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 head trainer just to be with his mom.

He then bared that he will discuss the coaching offer with his mother before he either accepts or declines it.

"I would like to seriously talk to my mother about it before deciding," he concluded.

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