Aljun Melecio struggled in his post-season debut
Rookie Aljun Melecio slowly carved a niche in the De La Salle University Green Archers’ loaded roster. Playing behind Thomas Torres and Kib Montalbo during the first round, the product of De La Salle-Zobel has formed a formidable backcourt with Montalbo during crunch time that helped lead La Salle to the top seed.
As expected the Green Archers advanced to the Finals Wednesday evening. However, the win did not show any semblance of the crisp ball movement La Salle showcased all throughout the season much to the dismay of first-year head coach Aldin Ayo.
“Execution during the game because during the practice, ginagawa namin yan. We kept on simulating everything during practice. Now the problem is, how do you put those schemes during the game,” Ayo lamented.
“Yun ang nagiging problema namin. Bakit pag may camera na, may TV na, may mga crowd na, bakit nagbabago yung galaw ng mga bata? Yun ang problema namin. Bakit may mga players na ayaw mamasa pag may TV na or pag may camera na? Yun ang problema namin.”
One of the guards who struggled during the 69-64 win was Melecio himself. The 17-year-old rookie was not his usual self, throwing bricks from downtown — majority coming pull-up threes. He scored just six points, 2.4 points below his average, in his post-season debut.
The gunslinger admitted that it was not jitters that got the best of him but eagerness.
“Gigil lang siguro. Hindi naman rookie jitters. ‘Di ko nga alam, pero gigil lang siguro,” he lamented.
“Inaamin ko na parang minsan, ‘di ko rin nara-run yung play. Pero yun nga, kasi gigil ako. Feeling ko, yun naman yung mga shots na tine-take ko naman, ‘di lang pumapasok.”
One of Ayo’s prized recruits during the off-season, the rookie admits that he disappointed his mentor.
“More on mental talaga yung lapses. Decision-making,” he furthered. “Actually, maganda naman yung training namin. Feeling ko lang sa game, tamang mindset lang talaga.”
And he vows to make it up during the Finals.
“Ayaw naman ni coach na hanggang Finals lang, gusto niya hanggang championship. Binibigyan kami ng lesson ni coach na parang gising na, hindi puwedeng ganito yung laro natin sa Finals.”
