The UST Saga: What's the Latest?

What started in a bubble is now a full-blast saga.

The alleged bubble training that the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers underwent in Sorsogon paved the way for an exodus of UST players who have pursued playing opportunities elsewhere. 

Last week, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) imposed an indefinite ban on former UST Head Coach Aldin Ayo who on Friday, said that the ban is "not appropriate under the circumstances" The race for the new head coach of the Tigers continues to heat up as UST legends are leading in the race. Even former Alaska import in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Sean Chambers said, "I have expressed interest"

Last week also saw Rhenz Abando, Ira Bataller, and Brent Paraiso completing their transfer to the Letran Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). And over the weekend, Mark Nonoy and Deo Cuajao's names were all over the social media as reports popped out that the two promising members of the UST core are transferring to Taft Avenue. Nonoy and Cuajao are both staying in Espana. Initially. 

That is according to Jax Chua who is the agent of both Nonoy and Cuajao and also the president of Team Phenom Sports.  “Mark, ever since high school, was already with Coach Aldin because it was Coach Aldin himself who recruited Mark to play for UST High School,” Chua said in a statement released Sunday. “Deo, meanwhile, was recruited two weeks before the season started,” he added.

However, De La Salle Green Archers Head Coach Derrick Pumaren has confirmed Monday that both Nonoy and Cuajao are finalizing their transfers to Taft Avenue with Pumaren saying "He (Nonoy) will be a big addition to the team and it's a preparation for the graduation of Aljun (Melecio)"

What looked like a promising UST team for Season 83 is now almost an empty boat. 

Photo is from Rappler