Converge head coach Aldin Ayo saw that there remains plenty of work to be done after absorbing their first loss of the PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday.
The straightforward mentor was hoping to see his FiberXers keep the habits they worked on during the mid-season break but was left far from pleased, especially with the way they defended in the eventual defeat to TNT.
“We were hoping na come gametime, hindi na namin ire-remind — although we kept on reminding them, pero hindi na pumapasok, hindi na na-aabsorb,” he told reporters shortly after the 128-122 loss at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Ayo lamented in particular how his wards allowed Jalen Hudson to drop 56 on their heads in a performance that also saw the Tropang Giga import shoot 67-percent from the floor and collect 10 rebounds and four assists.
The 26-year-old winger already scored 44 just in the game’s first three quarters, 20 of which he manufactured in the opening period alone.
Mikey Williams also caused problems for Converge as the league’s reigning scoring king finished with 19 points, including 11 in the final frame alone.
“Actually, we missed lots of open shots. And we took for granted some important details, especially on defense,” said Ayo, whose side actually led by as much as nine points, 91-82, during the third quarter only to lose it.
“Dapat hindi ganun kalaki ‘yung in-iscore ng import — even Mikey Williams sana, kahit papaano, nabawasan if we just executed ‘yung maliliit na bagay na trinabaho namin during the off-season. We were hoping na habit na nila.”
Overshadowed by the loss was the effort of Jamaal Franklin, who did a little but of everything with 47 points on a 51.7-percent clip, 14 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three blocks to lead the FiberXers.
Ayo did laud the former NBA cager’s performance but called on the locals to step it up next time — more importantly on defense.
“Well, he played good. Ganun naman talaga ‘yung role niya na he wants the ball and lots of things nangyayari kapag nasa kanya yung bola eh,” he said.
“Hopefully maging ready lang ‘yung locals dun sa mga finishes because he loves to pass,” added Ayo as Franklin is coming off a triple-double outing versus Rain or Shine the last time out. “Sana ma-finish ng mga locals.
“And aside from Jamaal, ‘yung ibang locals sana mag-step up din, sana mag-contribute not only on the offensive end, most especially sa depensa.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
