IATF probes Tigers’ Sorsogon ‘bubble’

MANILA, Philippines — The UST saga doesn’t end with captain CJ Cansino’s shocking exit.

Apart from adjusting to life without the do-it-all Cansino, coach Aldin Ayo and the Tigers will have to deal with a probe by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on their reported “training bubble” in Sorsogon.

The task force, through the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Health and Games and Amusements Board, will determine whether there was a breach of its omnibus guidelines.

“We’re looking into it and verifying the reports,” PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, whose agency oversees non-professional sports during the pandemic, told The STAR.

Sorsogon in the Bicol Region is under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Officials from the PSC, GAB and DOH met with UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag and Season 83 president Nong Calanog yesterday.

UST “respectfully declined” the invite but gave an assurance it is “conducting its own internal probe” and promised to report to the UAAP soonest.

News of the Sorsogon camp broke out on social media last Friday, side by side with the issue on Cansino, who claimed he was “dropped” from the team for “defiance of authority.” Cansino apparently spoke on behalf of the team and asked if they could be allowed to go home to visit their families.

This led to a misunderstanding between Cansino and Ayo.

Right there and then, Cansino was reportedly dropped from the team, leading to his immediate transfer to the UP Fighting Maroons.

“I had to make a quick decision and find a new school to play for. Otherwise, I might be forced to sit out the new season and then spend another year in residency. That means I will lose two playing years,” said Cansino in yesterday’s The Chasedown sports show on OnePH.

“The DOH wants us to address it first and recommend to the IATF because they’re very busy. We can elevate our findings for their final decision but we’ll attend to it,” said Gab chairman Baham Mitra, who then warned, “If there is merit, cases can be filed in violation of the Omnibus Guidelines of the IATF.”

Meanwhile, Cansino said he just wants a fresh start – no more and no less – with the Maroons.

“I want to move on,” said the newest member of the UP squad that has undergone a massive off-season buildup.

Cansino, a 6-foot-2 forward, did not answer questions if indeed the Tigers have gone practicing in Sorsogon amid the pandemic.

“I don’t want it to come from me. I don’t want to ruin what UST has tried to build. UST helped me a lot. I owe the school gratitude,” he said in Filipino.