Ayo’s term longer than Duterte’s

Is it true that Aldin Ayo will earn a six-year basketball coaching contract with University of Sto. Tomas (UST) beginning this year?

Why, if that’s true, Ayo’s new term will see him outlast President Duterte’s tenure.

Mr. Duterte’s reign ends in 2022 as per provision of the 1987 Constitution.

When consummated, Ayo’s UST job expires in 2023.

And, if that’s what The Varsitarian is actually saying, who are we to even doubt it?

The Varsitarian is UST’s official student paper, which is actually one of the oldest and most prestigious publications in campus journalism nationwide. It broke the news last week that Ayo will close the deal with UST this week.

So, what will happen now to Ayo’s reported meeting with ECJ (Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.) sometime middle of this month?

Wasn’t this supposed to be ECJ’s last-ditch effort to stop Ayo from leaving La Salle—ECJ being bruited about as the chief architect in plucking Ayo out of Letran in 2016 and luring him as the Archers coach with an offer the Bicolano mentor could not refuse?

After his historic win coaching Letran to the NCAA championship in 2015, Ayo would next pilot La Salle to the UAAP throne in his rookie stint in 2016.

But after failing to defend the crown against Ateneo in the UAAP Finals in 2017, Ayo would be caught in a swirl of rumors that he’d bolt La Salle and move to UST starting this year.

Friday last, The Varsitarian made official Ayo’s transfer to UST, virtually making him as the coach earning the lengthiest contract in UAAP history.

But Ayo, 40, will be saddled with a UST lineup bereft of depth and, therefore, lacking in championship punch. Thus, his winning streak at Letran and La Salle could be in jeopardy?

He will bring a 30-5, win-loss, two-year record at La Salle as a badge of honor in his shift to UST, whose 1-13 meltdown last year was the worst ever for a school that had won 18 crowns.

But with his six-year contract in tow, Ayo, powered by his vaunted coaching skills, should find it a breeze rebuilding a team not used to cellar-dwelling ignominy all these years.

Meanwhile, talk hasn’t died down that ECJ is bent on recruiting an American to coach La Salle this year. Abangan!

He will bring a 30-5, win-loss, two-year record at La Salle as a badge of honor in his shift to UST, whose 1-13 meltdown last year was the worst ever for a school that had won 18 crowns.