‘Mayhem’ comes to 3×3, with Aldin Ayo taking over the coaching reins of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas team for FIBA tournaments.
On Monday afternoon, Ayo was unveiled as the new head coach of the rechristened squad, which will now go by Manila Chooks TM. The team remains led by PH no. 1 Joshua Munzon, no. 2 Alvin Pasaol, no. 5 Troy Rike, and no. 6 Santi Santillan.
“I’m very grateful because, for me, this will bring another dimension to my coaching career,” he said after his introduction to the players and Manila mayor Isko Moreno inside City Hall.
“Throughout my coaching career, it was the full-length of the court, but this time will be different. I can’t wait to try out new schemes for half-court.”
The 43-year-old succeeds Eric Altamirano, who resigned from his post effective November 1 following a two-year run that saw the Philippines rise to contention in 3×3.
“Both parties are on good terms and that we will still work with Coach Eric in the future,” said BAVI sports and marketing director Mel Macasaquit.
Manila Chooks TM cannot have chosen a better successor, since Ayo has been a proven winner in each and every program he has handled.
“Coach Ayo is my personal choice,” said BAVI president and 3×3 patron Ronald Mascariñas.
“He is the most decorated coach in college right now and we are excited that he is now here with us.”
In just his first year at the helm of the respective programs, the fiery mentor — known for his ‘Mayhem’ brand of basketball — energized Letran and La Salle to the NCAA and UAAP championships.
Ayo then moved on to UST, which he rejuvenated en route to a first Finals in four years.
Ayo is already learning the ropes of this new sport, but will not yet join Manila Chooks TM. The team will first see action in the Doha Masters of the 2020 FIBA 3×3 World Tour later in the month.
The one-time NCAA and UAAP champion coach’s first formal training session with Munzon and company has been penciled in before the year ends.
This will be a reunion of sorts for Ayo and Santillan, who were key cogs in La Salle’s runner-up finish in 2017.
He is also no stranger to Pasaol, whom he once tried recruiting for Letran and then La Salle; as well as Rike, whom he coached against in the UAAP.
Munzon is also familiar to Ayo after the former, then with AMA, dropped 46 points on the latter’s Ironcon-UST in the PBA D-League.
