A decision to assemble a coaching staff that will handle the University of Santo Tomas basketball program is expected to be made by next week.
Sources said officials of the university’s Institute of Physical Education and Athletics will have to make up their minds quickly in order to rebuild their basketball program.
Six coaches are applying for UST’s head coaching job and submitted their resumes to new IPEA head, Fr. Ermito de Sagon.
Among the six coaches, who applied is Chris Gavina, the first non-alumnus to seek the position left by Aldin Ayo.
He has joined the ranks of alumni members, which include Siot Tanquingcen, Estong Ballesteros, Chris Cantonjos, Gilbert Lao and Ed Cordero.
Gavina is known for steering Kia to the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.
Also coming forward is former UST captain Jeric Fortuna, who has expressed his intention to be part of the Growling Tigers’ staff as an assistant coach.
He was joined by Kim Lo, a teammate from 2010 to 2012.
Ayo was suspended by the league this week for holding training activities in Sorsogon without getting the proper go-signal from concerned authorities.
Since the submission of the UST report last week, Ayo had already stepped down from post, along with assistant coaches McJour Luib and Jinino Manansala.
Since the controversy surrounding UST began, five players have quit the team.
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
Six-foot-two small forward Ferdinand Asuncion Jr. was the last to go and is said to have joined the Mapua Cardinals.