UST Growling Tigers coach cites 'probinsyano' connection with Abando

UST Growling Tigers' Rhenz Abando in play during the match against UE at the UAAP Men's Basketball event. PHOTO BY UAAP

In his debut in the UAAP, UST Growling Tiger newcomer Rhenz Abando introduced himself to the league by making 22 points, 15 of which came from shots he made from beyond the arc.

Despite being a new name for the Thomasian community, Aldin Ayo says Abando has been under his radar even before when he was coaching Colegio de San Juan de Letran and the DLSU Green Archers.

"Player si Rhenz ni coach Christian Calaguio," Ayo narrated.

Calaguio was his teammate back in college when he was playing for Letran.

"Kahit nung nasa Letran ako, pupunta sana si Rhenz. Even sa La Salle, kukunin ko sana si Rhenz," Ayo continued.

However, it seems that fate would bring the two of them together in UST.

"Itong batang ito, parang nilagay niya sa dibdib niya na kay coach Aldin ako maglalaro," the UST head coach shared.

"Grateful ako na nangyari sa UST and kung nakikita niyo ang laro ni Rhenz, he's very talented pero alam niya kung anong kulang niya at dapat trabahuin niya," he added.

Asked why Abando chose the UST tactician as his coach, Ayo said one of the reasons is probably because they are both from the provinces. Ayo hails from the Bicol region.

"Parehas kami ng background, naho-homesick sa pamilya namin at wala kaming ibang sasandalan kundi kami lang. Anytime na kailangan ng kasama, makaka-relate ka. Karamihan ng players ko, probinsyano. We have that kind of bond," Ayo shared.

For Abando on why he chose UST, he said, "Di ko rin alam eh. Pinagtagpo siguro." — BAP, GMA News