Aldin Ayo has already beaten three of the PBA’s most decorated coaches in leading Converge to a hat trick of wins in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The FiberXers on Friday slew another giant in TNT through a dominant 130-117 conquest. That also meant the addition of no less than Chot Reyes to the newcomer’s list of victims in his first conference in the league.
Ayo has previously defeated Grand Slam winner Norman Black and Leo Austria following victories over Meralco and San Miguel, respectively. That makes him triumphant over mentors that possess 29 championships combined.
Those wins served as a payback of sorts as well for the young franchise after losing against the very same teams in the last Philippine Cup by an average margin of 14.75 points, per league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
And that includes the humiliating 96-116 defeat they suffered at the hands of then-reigning champions Tropang Giga in the quarterfinals.
It is quite a feat, surely, but Ayo isn’t one to be too proud. He instead feels humbled, and simply glad to have led Converge to another W.
“I’m just grateful that we won,” the 45-year-old expressed during the postgame press conference at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Furthermore, Ayo couldn’t feel any more honored to have figured in a coaching battle against Reyes. He said that he’s one of the many coaches who has been inspired by the league’s only five-time Coach of the Year awardee.
“Talking about Coach Chot, he’s one of the coaches that I look up to. Probably one of the reasons also why I love coaching,” he said.
“He’s an inspiration. ‘Yung accomplishments, ‘yung mga ginagawa niya really inspires lots of coaches, and I’m one of them,” Ayo furthered.
His remarks are definitely something to be welcomed by Reyes, who previously expressed his admiration towards the former cager turned shot-caller.
“I don’t regard Aldin as a newcomer. I’ve been watching him since he started coaching. And I’m very, very impressed,” he said after their 109-98 win over Blackwater last October 22 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
“He’s really one of the really good young coaches coming up, and I’m not surprised how well Converge is playing under his watch.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
