CESAFI chief blasts UST coach Ayo for ‘pirating’ Ateneo de Cebu cager

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. commissioner Felix ‘Boy’ O. Tuikinhoy, Jr. is furious over University of Sto. Tomas basketball coach Aldin Ayo for ‘pirating’ the reigning CESAFI Juniors MVP Leobert Andrew ‘LA’ Casinillo from the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles to the UST Tiger Cubs in the UAAP.

The other day, the 6-foot-1 All-Star wingman who helped the Magis Eagles clinch their fifth CESAFI title last year created a huge buzz after reports broke out that he has already committed to the UST Tiger Cubs upon the intervention of coach Ayo.

“LA is a great addition to the UST’s basketball program,” Ayo told Adrian Stewart Co of Panay News who first broke the news of Casinillo’s stunning transfer.

Casinillo himself confirmed the report to this writer, saying that he was one of UST’s targets for recruitment when Ayo and the Tigers conducted a two-day tryout for their college and high school ballclubs last January at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym in Cebu Business Park.

A source close to The Freeman who requested anonymity revealed that Casinillo’s tie-up with UST was already a done deal since March.

“Had it not been for the pandemic, he’s (LA Casinillo) already in Manila by now,” the source said. 

But Tiukinhoy is fuming over the shocking move.

“I don’t mind players going to Manila to seek better opportunities but the most important thing for them is to have a character,” said Tiukinhoy. “Before you transfer to another league or wherever you want to go, you must ask permission from the school first.”

“What coach Ayo did was unacceptable. He should have at least followed the standard protocols of asking the blessings of the school first before talking to the players and the parents.”

Tiukunhoy said the school have sacrificed and invested a lot on its players and taking them out all of a sudden is something that is being done without ‘moral ascendancy”.

“I am against this practice of getting players from our league in Cebu without permission,” said

Tiukinhoy. “To all CESAFI athletes, I understand that you are looking for a brighter future in your athletic careers, but take things one step at a time. Don’t be easily blinded by opportunity that come your way because everything will just fall into place at the right time.”

Interestingly, coach Ayo was at the other end of this kind of situation before.

Last year, Ayo lashed out at other UAAP member schools for trying to recruit one of his star players Rhenz Abando in the middle of the season.