Going into the Lyceum of the Philippines University’s penultimate game for the first round, the odds were already stacked against the league-leading Pirates, as their head coach Topex Robinson was suspended from the game due to the two technical fouls he had been slapped with against the EAC Generals last August 10.
But before the Pirates headed to the Filoil Flying V Centre to face neighbors Letran Knights, he made sure to entrust the team to two people: lead assistant coach Jeff Perlas and team captain MJ Ayaay.
“Nag-usap kami [on the phone] ni Coach Topex bago mag-laro. Sabi sa akin, ‘Bahala ka na ha.’ Sabi ko, ‘Oo coach, tutulungan ko sila’,” said Lyceum’s senior.
Win number eight for the Pirates did not come easy, though, as Lyceum needed to overcome a lead that went to as high as 17 points. And the Pirates were able to do it with their uncanny knack of finding each other.
Skipper Ayaay himself may have gone a lackluster 1-for-6 on shooting, but he still made his presence felt with 11 rebounds, two assists, and a lot of pep talk for his teammates.
“Iniisip ko lang na mas i-motivate ko sila.
“Ang laki ng lamang sa amin nung first half eh. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, positive lang, atin yan. Makukuha din natin yung momentum natin,” said the 24-year-old, who was seen approaching and commending every teammate who did well.
And after the Pirates completed a come-from-behind win against the Knights, 75-68, Ayaay made sure to call up his mentor.
“Ayun nanalo kami! Sabi niya, ‘Congrats Ay! Ang galing niyo.’ Sabi ko, ‘Thanks Coach, wala ka kasi eh! Joke lang!'” Ayaay shared with a laugh, as he confirmed that they had been in constant communication with Robinson throughout the match.
For one game, Robinson could breathe a sigh of relief for leaving the team in good hands.
ByL Danine Cruz
