By now, everyone should know that you never give Aldin Ayo extra motivation.
Back in 2015, when he was still with Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Ayo instilled a “no one believes in them” mindset on the Knights. The result? They shocked the entire country, toppling the San Beda Red Lions in an epic three-game series.
When he transferred to the De La Salle University and steered a highly-stacked Green Archers squad a year later, the proud son of Sorsogon City inculcated that they are up against the whole world, that everyone wanted to see them go down in shambles. It ended up putting another championship under his belt.
Sunday afternoon, Ayo was able to find added fuel to help him find his next level.
With Ateneo trying to break the game wide-open late on, the game officials not only missed a travelling violation on Anton Asistio, but also a backing error on Matt Nieto. It resulted in a basket for Vince Tolentino that gave Ateneo a 76-69 lead with 2:24 left.
“Travelling talaga yun,” La Salle skipped Kib Montalbo recalled about what he saw. “Kasi minsan, baka hindi mo alam nakatingin sa iba, nakatingin sa foul hindi sa pivot foot so ‘di mo talaga masisisi.”
Infuriated, a disgusted Ayo threw his black jacket to the sidelines as Prince Rivero tried to calm him down.
Seeing how fired up their mentor was, the Green Archers responded by locking down the Blue Eagles the rest of the way. On the other end, La Salle went on a furious 10-0 run to stun Ateneo, 79-76.
Again: you never help Ayo find his next gear.
“Actually, personally, anger or hatred, it fuels my adrenaline and it helps me in making right decisions,” admitted the 40-year-old.
“I always thrive in anger and hatred. Ganyan ako lumaki. My players can say that.”
When asked about the tactical adjustments he had made, the reigning UAAP coach of the year stayed mum, only sharing that they hadn’t wanted to quit.
“They executed the game plan because we’re not going to quit.
“We’re not just going to wait there and allow them to beat us. We’re going to do our part, we’re going to compete, and we’re going to do whatever it takes, just to win,” Ayo said.
“In the right way, of course.”
