Though comfortably in the lead, first-year University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo made sure that no one went out of their way.
With 6:16 left in UST’s game against the University of the East Red Warriors on Saturday afternoon, UST were up 66-51. However, rookie big man Germy Mahinay tried to take things on his own. It resulted in a travelling violation.
Ayo quickly pulled the product of the San Beda program out of the game and gave him a piece of his mind.
“He was not following the instruction[s]. He was not going with the flow,” disclosed Ayo, a two-time collegiate champion.
“Ayoko naman na may isang player na makasama or maka-epekto sa takbo ng team.”
At this stage of this tournament, Ayo can’t afford any let-ups.
The burly 6-foot-5 big man immediately apologized to Ayo. However, Ayo had none of it.
“He apologized to me. Sabi ko naman sa kanya, don’t apologize to me – apologize to your teammates, apologize to the managers, apologize to the whole team kasi ‘di naman sa akin yun eh,” Ayo added.
“Para sa buong UST yan.”
With Steve Akomo out, Ayo and the UST community are expecting a lot from guys like Mahinay. And he is hoping that his message to Mahinay is heard loud and clear.
“Well sana mag-expand din yung bata kasi kakailanganin namin siya,” Ayo hopes.
“Kulang na kulang kami sa big man, sa mga totoong big man.”
