Converge head coach Aldin Ayo quickly downplayed his win over Yeng Guiao as he reigned victorious over yet another decorated PBA mentor on Sunday night.
“Well, I’m humbled by that, but it’s a long way to go,” he said shortly after the FiberXers’ come-from-behind 102-101 victory over Rain or Shine to continue their winning run to seven games in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup.
An owner of seven championships and twice a Coach of the Year, the Elasto Painters’ chief shot-caller just became the latest to fall to Ayo.
The 45-year-old beat Grand Slam winner Norman Black, nine-time titlist Leo Austria, and the only five-time CotY in Chot Reyes when they took down Meralco, San Miguel, and TNT during the early goings of their hot streak.
Then again, the former college coach refuses to celebrate any of that whatsoever, saying, “Marami pa akong kakaining bigas.”
For him, their success is because of how his players have been responding thus far, which has now enabled Converge (8-2) to book a seat in the quarterfinals, becoming the second team next to Bay Area to do so.
It would also be unfair to be compared to those coaches that possess a bevy of championships and immeasurable experience, he added.
“It just so happens na nagre-respond ‘yung mga players, and it just so happens na magaling ‘yung import namin. It just so happened na ‘yung mga players, committed doon sa ginagawa namin,” Ayo offered.
“So I think, it would be unfair na iko-compare ako sa mga ‘yun, because this is just my first conference. ‘Yung mga ‘yun, ilang championships na ang mga ‘yun. Mga proven na ang mga ‘yun,” he furthered.
Sooner, he’s about to face the PBA’s winningest mentor in Tim Cone when Converge takes on Ginebra. But he isn’t looking too far ahead, as he wants to prepare first for their meeting against NorthPort next Sunday.
“We’re not thinking of Ginebra yet, because we’re going to focus on NorthPort. That team is dangerous,” said Ayo, whose side totes an 8-2 card.
“Coach Pido [Jarencio], Berto [Bolick]… they have a stacked team also. All positions, they have good players. Coach Pido, the veteran that he is… we’re not going to think of Ginebra yet. We’re going to focus on NorthPort.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
