It can be said that Aldin Ayo is an expert in developing collegiate stars.
The likes of Rey Nambatac, Kib Montalbo, and Aljun Melecio grew under the Sorsogon-native’s tutelage and it is safe to assume that more stars will emerge under his guidance as the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers coach.
However, to achieve growth, one must suffer setbacks in return. The Adamson University Soaring Falcons handed Ayo’s UST their second defeat in three games this season, 79-71, and the Letran alumnus knew too well how his squad was defeated.
“We played like rookies.
“Our inexperience manifested during the game especially in that crucial stretch. We were not able to observe the rules dun sa depensa and our decision making in playing offense,” lamented the former De La Salle Green Archers mentor.
The Soaring Falcons’ was too tough for the Growling Tigers to break down, especially in the final period when the former’s five-point cushion down the stretch was a bridge too far for the latter. Ironically, though, it was Adamson’s pressing that brought UST down, as the Soaring Falcons forced the Growling Tigers to commit 27 turnovers.
Ayo shared that his team was able to beat the legendary Franz Pumaren press, particularly in the third period, but that the Soaring Falcons’ experience was just too much for his young team.
“Kaya lang problema lang yung decision making nga ‘pag nandiyan na ang press. Kasi kung mga beterano ‘pag nandiyan na ang press, mas gusto nga nila na press eh,” admitted the two-time Collegiate Coach of the Year. “’Pag mga rookies at nandiyan na yung press, medyo natataranta na eh. ‘Pag yung press kase pumasok sa utak mo, magkaka-problema ka na eh. Ma-intimidate ka na eh.”
While the Growling Tigers were able to beat Pumaren’s press in the third quarter, they failed to sustain that resistance – even after gaining a three-point lead late in the quarter.
“The problem is nung nag-sink in na sa amin ang pagod and kailangan namin mag-rotate. We have to put the rookies in. Dun kami nagka-problema,” admitted the first-year Growling Tigers tactician.
“Pero I’m confident in my rookies. I’ll stick with them. We’ll make na mag-grow sila from yung experience na ito.”
Perhaps the one player who exhibited UST’s youthful exuberance best was star rookie CJ Cansino. The Season 80 Juniors MVP tallied 18 points and five rebounds but five turnovers as well in 24.50 minutes of action.
Ayo stated that he wasn’t surprised with Cansino’s past performances and hoped that his fellow rookies would follow his lead. “May mga players pa diyan na hindi pa lumalabas ang laro. Sabi ko sa kanila (na) kung gawin lang nila ang ginagawa nila sa practice, magawa lang nila sa laro then we’ll be fine eh,” he opined.
“It’s just a matter of playing their game.”
