Abando no plans to abandon UST

MANILA, Philippines — Super rookie Rhenz Abando is staying on the Tigers’ den after all.

No less than UST coach Aldin Ayo confirmed Abando’s commitment to remain a Tiger after multiple reports cited certain schools’ attempts to woo Abando in the middle of the 82nd UAAP season.

“He’s always been committed to UST. He affirmed that he’s here until the end of his collegiate career,” said Ayo after a meeting with Abando regarding the issue surrounding him in the past 48 hours.

Questions on the La Union native’s status has gained ground since he showed up in their last game in civvies and was reduced to a spectator behind the Tigers’ bench. 

Minus Abando who is the top bet for the Rookie of the Year honor with his averages of 11.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, Santo Tomas still got the job done with a huge 84-78 comeback win over UP to regain third spot with 6-5 slate.

Ayo and Abando kept mum until several reports surfaced yesterday, claiming that the 22-year-old was apparently being lured by unnamed schools out of Santo Tomas.

“For me, that’s very unethical – in the middle of the season, offering to contact a player. That’s insulting the kid, ” said Ayo in an interview with the official UST campus publication The Varsitarian, adding that it was a move to distract the Tigers who have been making waves this season despite a rookie-laden squad.

Abando is a personal recruit of Ayo with the rookie being a former player of his long-time friend and Letran teammate Chris Calaguio in the Philippine College of Science and Technology in Pangasinan.