Two former assistant coaches were named interim coaches of the University of Santo Tomas basketball programs.
Two months after they quit with ex-Growling Tigers head mentor Aldin Ayo, Jinino Manansalsa and McJour Luib return as men's basketball and junior cage mentors.
And this will be on a temporary basis, according to sources.
Manansala will head the men’s program. He played for the Growling Tigers when Aric Del Rosario handled the squad from 1999 to 2003.
And Manansala was strongly considered after authorities at the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics went through a list of 10 applicants.
The applicants included retired Philippine Basketball Association import Sean Chambers, former national youth team member Aries Dimaunahan, Siot Tanquingcen and Chris Cantonjos.
The list also included Estong Ballesteros, Chris Gavina, Potit De Vera, Ed Cordero, and Gilbert Lao.
Their return comes as support for the reinstatement of Aldin Ayo and lifting of an indefinite ban from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines snowballed.
Sympathy for Ayo came after the Office of the Governor and police authorities in Sorsogon absolved him of any unlawful act two weeks ago.
Sources said school officials at UST are now backing up Ayo’s appeal for the UAAP to remove their sanctions.
Manansala has proven himself when steered the St. Clare Saints to four straight titles in the National Athletic Association of Schools Colleges and Universities.
The IPEA, now headed by Fr. Rodel Cansancio, reviewed the list of aspirants.