The De La Salle University Green Archers scored an emphatic win over the National University Bulldogs on Wednesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
In a rematch of what coach Aldin Ayo had called their toughest game in the opening round, the cagers from Taft Avenue had their way against the Bulldogs. They were able to force NU into uncharacteristic turnovers, bully their way in the paint, and play their pace. The game proved that this batch of Green Archers is a cut above the rest.
“That was a game of runs, game of spurts. Maraming mga unexpected na players na nag-contribute. Siguro kaya ganoon yung laro,” first year La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo said as the Bulldogs had four players score in double-figures.
“Tapos ewan ko ba, everytime na… yung mga nakakalaban namin, ang taas ng field goal percentage. Lahat ng nakakalaban namin, they always give us their A-game. Siguro, may additional motivation pag La Salle ang kalaban.”
For their part, all but one Green Archer scored in the game ,showcasing the depth of their team. It’s a testament to how hungry this squad is after having missed out on the Final Four a year ago.
“Hindi talaga mapapagod, ang haba ng rotation namin eh. The 15 guys were able to play and lots of them were able to contribute kaya hindi talaga mapapagod.
“There were players that I did not use for the first half, I used them in the second half and still they delivered. So kung titingnan natin ang mindset ng mga bata, they are always ready regardless kung kelan ipapasok,” he added.
With their tenth straight win, La Salle were able to formally secure their entry into the next round of the UAAP Season 79 Men’s Basketball tournament. But for Ayo, it’s just a small victory compared to the larger goal.
“Hindi nagma-matter sa akin ang Final Four. Ang importante ay manalo. Kasi nga, lahat ito, everything will be put to naught if we don’t win the championship,” the 39 year old mentor said.
“Madaming pressure diyan pero I always talk to them individually that’s why doon ako tumitira sa dorm namin, halos nandoon ako araw-araw kasi there are players na nakakaramdam na ng pressure. Lumalabas na ako ang nagka-counsel sa kanila, although sanay naman ako doon because when I was in the seminary, ganoon ang ginagawa namin, ganoon ang ginagawa sa amin so ginagawa ko rin sa mga bata,” he shared.
And true enough, the league’s best offensive team have harnessed the pressure they are feeling into on-court success. But early success might entail complacency – the one thing the team’s coaching staff is looking to avoid. For Ayo, he makes sure that his team sees how hard he and his staff work to push them further.
“Magde-depend yan sa coaching staff, magde-depend yan sa amin. Kung maganda yung approach, kung maganda yung practice plan, maganda yung game plan, hindi magma-matter yung complacency.
“Kasi magde-depend yun kung paano mo ise-set ang mga utak ng mga players. Yang mga yan, nakaka-amoy yan. If you become complacent, nakaka-amoy yan na, o si coach ganito.
“Wala sa ugali ng coaching staff yun. Nakikita nila na andun ako, nakatira, nakikita nila kung paano kami mag-trabaho everyday. They don’t see any sign of complacency on us. Mas maganda kasi yung action than advising them. Pag nakikita nila kung paano kami mag-trabaho, sila mismo napu-push din sila,” he said.
And as history proved, a sweep of the elimination round means absolutely nothing if the season does not end with a golden finish.
