Destiny’s child

I think we’re really destined to coach and play for each other

Two weeks into the season and Rhenz Abando is already making an impact.

From high-flying layups to devil-may-care hustles and lightning-quick first steps, Abando had taken the Season 82 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament by storm, leaving sideliners to speculate that something good is about to happen for University of Santo Tomas (UST).

As proof, he outshone other prominent, more seasoned collegiate stars like Gian Mamuyac and Mike Nieto of Ateneo de Manila University, Lenda Douanga of Adamson University and L-Jay Gonzales when he was chosen as the first UAAP Player of the Week for this season.

It didn’t surprise his coach, Aldin Ayo.

He knew that destiny has something to do with Abando’s fine performance.

“This kid had already ingrained in his chest that he will play for me,” said Ayo, who didn’t mind mentioning Abando in the same breath as great UST players like Cyrus Baguio, Dennis Espino, Emerson Oreta, Christopher Cantonjos and Dale Singson despite playing only three games.

“I think we’re really destined to coach and play for each other.”

True enough, Abando and Ayo were meant for each other.

When Abando was still a gangly teen playing in the hard courts of La Union, he already had this secret desire of playing for the youthful coach who broke barriers by winning titles out of disrupting the smooth offensive flow of the opposing team using his rugged, macho defense and running game.

He could have easily landed on Letran College or De La Salle University where Ayo served as coach, but it wasn’t meant to be.

So when Ayo formally accepted the coaching job at UST, Abando didn’t think twice.

“I was grateful that our union finally happened at UST,” said Ayo, who played with Abando’s high school coach in Chris Calaguio at Letran in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

“If you can see how Rhenz play, he’s very talented and he knows what and how to improve himself.”

RHENZ Abando claims that fate brought him to UST. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG

Abando said fate has something to do with him landing on the Tigers’ lair.

“I really think that I’m destined to play under coach Aldin. I knew right from the start that he’s a good coach and that I’ll grow to become a better player under him,” said Abando, adding that, like Ayo, he is also a small-town boy who is dreaming of making it big in the big city.

“We are both probinsyano who are trying to make it big in Manila.”

“Coach Aldin really inspired me that even if I’m a small-town boy like him, I shouldn’t be afraid to dream because if you work hard and persevere, dreams would also come true.”

And he also knew that the mission would be completed if he will not work hard and deliver his best.

“When I watch UAAP games back then, I was always thinking that maybe someday, I can help UST regain the UAAP title,” said the 21-year old swingman.

“That’s why we made a promise that we would do everything to bring the crown back to UST. I know it will be hard, but with coach Aldin’s guidance, anything is possible. All we have to do is to trust him and follow the system.”

Yes, the probinsyano is now living his dream of making it big.

He is no longer the barefoot cager in the hard courts of La Union. Instead, he is now playing on national television, basking under the bright lights of the most prestigious collegiate league in the country.

For him, a lifetime of glory is way more than two weeks of popularity.