Converge head coach Aldin Ayo dispelled allegations that the team is tanking for a shot at picking first in the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft next year.
Netizens are accusing the FiberXers of losing games on purpose in the ongoing Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup for a chance to select consensus top overall pick Justine Baltazar, but the young mentor called it unfair.
Supposed to join the 2022 class but opted to stay with Pampanga, the MPBL MVP is being linked to the ball club given their connection to Pampanga Gov. Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda.
“I think that’s unfair,” said Ayo, who’s been with the franchise for three conferences now.
“That’s unfair, because malupit pinagdaraanan namin.”
Such talks became persistent online when Converge lost their first six games, and at one point became the only winless team in the ongoing tilt.
But they finally broke through with a 104-93 overtime win over Terrafirma on Wednesday night, practically giving Ayo the chance to address the issue.
The 46-year-old denied that they’re intentionally dropping games, saying that it all had been a result of bad luck no matter how hard they tried.
“Talk N Text, overtime. Phoenix, game-winner. Ginebra, may mga nangyari roon na nag-cramps,” he recalled of their close losses. “Pinipiga namin.
“And, grabe kami mag-practice. That’s why these guys deserve to play well, and I’ve been telling the team that we deserve to win dahil grabe kayo mag-ensayo, grabe kami magtrabaho. We’re not looking for that,” added Ayo.
(C) PBA Images
The two-time collegiate champion coach himself admitted that the winless spell had him casting doubts as well but knew that they had to stay the course.
Their resilience finally led to a victory but Ayo isn’t satisfied yet, with his focus now on helping the team contend — and grow — in the conference.
“Hindi pa ‘ko nabubunutan ng tinik. We’re still 1-6. Disappointed pa rin kami, frustrated pa rin kami, masama pa rin ‘yung pakiramdam namin sa mga talo na ‘to. Pero we’re not going to stop. There’s hope,” he said.
