In a sight all too familiar for Letranites, Aldin Ayo’s “House of Chaos” was in full display Sunday afternoon. However, Ayo was on the opposing end coaching for their old NCAA rivals.
In their first meeting after a tumultuous off-season, the Coach Ayo-mentored De La Salle Green Archers went on a huge third quarter blitz that proved to be enough to defeat the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 78-69, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Jeron Teng led the Green Archers with 22 points on 11-for-23 shooting from the field while dishing out four assists as well. Ben Mbala notched a double-double with 14 points and 18 rebounds but was just 3-for-7.
Surprisingly, Letran was up 34-31 in the first half with the troika of Rey Nambatac, Christian Balagasay, and Jerrick Balanza scoring six points each. Moreover, La Salle struggled in the opening half in shooting just 32 percent from the field and committing 15 first half turnovers that led to ten points off of it.
“Kelangan ko pa ma-motivate ng maayos yung mga bata kasi tatlong buwan na kami hindi natatalo,” La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo said. “Yun yung pinakamahirap kasi baka maging complacent yung mga bata.”
But just as Letran were finding their bearings after struggling for the entire pre-season, Ayo’s chaotic brand of basketball kicked in. The Green Archers full-court press forced Letran to several turnovers that led to a game-breaking 19-3 run that gave La Salle a 50-39 lead capped by a three-point play by Mbala. Jollo Go went on to close the third canto strong for the Taft cagers.
“They have to counter their effort with effort also. Sila Rey at McJour pagnaglalaro kasi may extra effort talaga,” the former Letran head coach shared. “So walang ibang pang-counter dun kung hindi effort lang. Buong-buo talaga yung team na yun.”
Behind sparkplug Matthew Bernabe, the Knights were able to cut the lead to just six, 60-54, early in the final frame. Incoming rookie Ricci Rivero though stopped Letran from its tracks in scoring six straight points.
Bong Quinto and Nambatac gave Letran a last chance for a hijackk in cutting the deficit to just eight with 1:16 remaining. However, Nambatac’s long-range bombs did not connect as La Salle swept the entire Group B of competition.
“Ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko,” Ayo added. “Sa akin naman gusto ko rin i-push sila.”
“You always need to bring out the best sa kapwa niyong Letranista to challenge them. Every time you challenge them they get better.”
Nambatac, Jom Sollano, and Balagasay finished the game with 11 points each. Felix Apreku, even if going up against a taller La Salle frontline, grabbed 13 boards.
The Green Archers will face the FEU Tamaraws on Tuesday, June 7.
The Scores:
DLSU (78) – Teng 22, Mbala 14, Go 10, Tratter 9, Torres 9, Rivero R. 8, Caracut 6, Melecio 0, Rivero P. 0.
CSJL (70) – Nambatac 11, Sollano 11, Balagasay 11, Balanza 10, Apreku 8, Quinto 8, Bernabe 5, Calvo 4, Sario 2, Luib 0, Gedaria 0, Dela Pena 0, Panbid 0.
Quarterscores: 16-18, 31-34, 60-49, 78-70.
