Win number nine did not come easy for the De La Salle University Green Archers, as had win number eight against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
Coach Aldin Ayo, who was celebrating his 39th birthday, admitted that the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons had given them a tough fight Saturday afternoon. The cagers from Diliman was able to limit La Salle to their season-low 33 percent shooting. But still, the Green Archers’ depth proved to be the difference that led to La Salle keeping their perfect slate intact.
“Maganda yung game plan ng UP, na-distract yung offense namin,” Ayo said. “Good thing nung patapos na, nag-execute ang mga bata.”
“The more we win, the harder it gets because all of them are going to prepare against us.”
“Everytime na kami ang kalaban, motivated palagi,” he furthered.
That is why Ayo, even on his birthday, worked double-time as he watched the National University Bulldogs’ game against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, as the Green Archers face National U next on Wednesday, October 19. Moreover, for him, birthdays are just another day at the office.
“Actually hindi talaga ako nagce-celebrate ng birthday,” the Sorsogon native shared. “Kasi yung birthday ko palaging may laro, kahit nung naglalaro pa ako. Yung liga kasi palaging October. Natataon lagi na yung birthday ko may laro.”
“Tsaka sa pamilya namin, hindi kami nagce-celebrate ng birthday. Nagce-celebrate lang kami pag fiesta, Pasko and New Year,” he admitted.
“Titignan ko pa [yung NU], kaya nga magtatrabaho pa ako,” he quipped.
