Rookie Aljun Melecio had been slumping during the first half of the De La Salle University Green Archers’ second round encounter against the FEU Tamaraws. He went a horrid 0-of-3 from downtown in seven minutes of game time. Moreover, his defense was so pale that it got the attention of his mentor coach Aldin Ayo.
“I trust him but kung di maglaro ng depensa yun di ko gagamitin yun,” Ayo remarked about his 5-foot-8 gunslinger. “That was his fault on the first half and sana ma-realize niya yun especially with our system.”
“We always prioritize defense.”
Melecio shared that his head coach confronted him in the locker room during the halftime break.
“Nung first half, sinabihan kasi ako ni coach na,
“‘Ano, ayaw mo manalo?'”
The 18-year-old took it to heart as his mentor had just questioned his will, his passion.
“Na-challenge na ako nun kasi ever since naman, gusto ko manalo. Nung nakita ni coach na parang ayaw ko manalo, sabi ko, hindi puwede ‘to kaya naging lalong aggressive ako,” the Business Management student-athlete said.
And his aggression paid off. Melecio became the sparkplug for the league-leaders, scoring all 12 of his points in the second half – including the game-tying triple with 1:44 left. La Salle eventually secured the comeback, taking a 73-67 win.
“Kumpiyansa lang talaga. Ever since naman, yun naman yung mga shots ko. Ginrab ko lang yung opportunity,” the UAAP Season 78 Juniors division MVP said.
For Melecio, he did not want to see the man who fought for him during the off-season disappointed at him.
“Ayoko lang i-down si coach sa binibigay niya sa aking kumpyansa.”
