“Definitely, La Salle!”
That was the familiar refrain among coaches in the UAAP Season 79 press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City when they were asked who the toughest team was.
“There are two groups in the UAAP as I see it; may isang group sa tuktok, nandoon ang La Salle, then everyone else is in a second group below La Salle,” said National University Bulldogs head coach Eric Altamerano.
“La Salle is a complete team. They have a lot of good veterans and they have Ben Mbala coming in who is a great player.
“They also have a new coach who just won a title in the NCAA [Aldin Ayo]. They have a good system so they’re going to be tough to beat,” expressed Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren.
For his part, La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo isn’t worried about the pressure and sees the giant target on their backs as a challenge for the team that will bring rewards.
“Pressure is everywhere naman – it’s inevitable. If I had stayed in Letran, there would have been pressure to repeat. Now that I’m here with La Salle, there’s pressure to win. Hindj mo talaga maiiwasan yan,” Ayo stressed.
“But I see pressure as more of an opportunity – if you handle it well, it will open up a lot of opportunities.”
For his part, the 38-year-old mentor is most excited to face the defending champions Far Eastern University Tamaraws. He is thankful that they get to face off right away for the opening day matchup, as he can get an early read on how his team stacks up against last year’s best.
“We’re very focused and excited about facing FEU on the first day. Right away, magkaka-alaman na kami agad,” he quipped.
The Letran alum brings with him the “House of Chaos” system that won the Knights the NCAA Season 91 title.
Although Ayo doesn’t want to immediately guarantee a title, he wants everyone expect his team to play hard and trap everyone until the final buzzer.
“Palaban ‘tong team namin. We’re going to play fast, physical, and we want to trap everyone. Kung puwede lang na pagdating ng kalaban sa venue eh i-trap namin sila, gagawin namin,” Ayo closed.
La Salle take on FEU on Wednesday, September 7, at the Smart Araneta Colesium.
