Coach Aldin Ayo has quit as head coach of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers men's basketball team.
His decision to resign came three weeks after government agencies started an inquiry into health protocol violations that may have been violated by the team when it held practice sessions in Capuy, Sorsogon.
“I have tendered my resignation as head coach of the UST Men’s Basketball Team,” said Ayo in a letter released to the university paper, Varsitarian.
His option to leave his job comes a few hours after a tripartite panel known as Joint Administrative Order group resolved to elevate its findings to the Department of Justice on Monday.
The body composed officials of the Philippine Sports Commission, the Games and Amusement Board and the Department of Health, made this decision following a meeting with the Commission on Higher Education.
The CHED, through chairman Prospero de Vera, felt that violations may have been committed when the Growling Tigers men's basketball team did practice sessions in Sorsogon, while lockdown protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases to stop the spread of the coronavirus were still in place.
Ayo's move to step down came a day after the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Board of Managing Directors decided to bring its findings to the Board of Trustees, composed of presidents of member schools. The BMD made a similar recommendation of conducting further inquiry and possible sanctions on the team and on the fate of Ayo.
The decision to hold Ayo responsible was unanimous, according to sources.
Ayo made an apology for his actions.
“I deeply apologize to all those who have been adversely affected by our activity and unnecessarily exposed to much condemnation, especially the university. I take responsibility for my actions and shall face the appropriate sanctions,” said Ayo.
Controversy involving the Growling Tigers began last August 20.
That was when Growling Tigers' skipper CJ Cansino was removed from from the team after he made efforts to explain to Ayo his mental health issues at the time.
Cansino eventually transferred to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
A total of five players quit the team since then, while the university's Institute of Physical Education and Athletics head Jannel Novino Abogado, O.P., resigned and was immediately replaced by Fr. Ermito de Sagon
The exodus of players from the Growling Tigers followed, with the latest being 6'2"small forward Ferdinand Asuncion Jr., who is said to have joined the Mapua Cardinals.
After Cansino left, Bren Paraiso, Rhenz Abando and Ira Batiller followed suit.
After handing the Letran Knights their 17th men's cage crown on his first year with the team back in 2015 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Ayo left for De La Salle University.
But he was gone again after giving the Green Archers a crown in 2016.
He went on to become UST's coach the following year.
After UST had a forgettable 1-13 campaign in Season 80, they went on to climb to sixth with a 5-9 record in Season 81.
Last year, the Growling Tigers made it to the finals and settled for runner-up honors to the Ateneo Blue Eagles.