 |
DLSU head coach Aldin Ayo
| Philstar File Photo | By Denison Rey A. Dalupang
|
MANILA, Philippines — The La Salle Green Archers are just one win away from finalizing their entry into the annals of collegiate basketball history.
The Taft-based cagers registered records left and right. They garnered various player citations. All within the bid of bringing the UAAP crown back to Taft Avenue.
They’ve been through lots of tests, too: At the hands of an unpredictable Adamson Falcons, the resilient former champions FEU Tamaraws, and now, the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The season favorites have been on a roller-coaster ride. But everyone knows every milestone they’ve snared will be all for naught if they don’t win it all on Wednesday.
But for the first time after 15 grueling games, La Salle coach Aldin Ayo suggested that his wards have finally shed their “bad habits” and found their peak form.
“After that Adamson game, na-challenge sila sa mga sinabi ko,” the coach shared. “First practice namin nagpakamatay ‘yung mga ‘yun at pinilit ibalik yung mga dating ginagawa namin.”
The tactician noted that spectators need not look far, as La Salle’s showing in Game One —despite narrowly escaping Ateneo — is a big testament to his wards buying into the system.
“‘Yung ball movement, execution, ‘yung crucial na plays, hindi nagone-on-one,” he offered. “Ibig sabihnn’un, naniniwala sila sa sistema.”
It was only during the Final Four when Ayo openly expressed his dismay over his boys’ “bad habits.” At one point, he hinted that some of his players were not sharing the basketball, which could cost them their chance for a title deep in their run.
“Extreme ‘yung case with Adamson,” the first-year UAAP coach said. “It could be very good or very bad. Magdedepende ang results kung paano sila magrerespond doon sa challenge na sinabi ko sa kanila.
“‘Yung gusto talagang manalo, minsan nawawala din ng landas. Aa a coach siyempre gusto mo na palagi silang nasa tamang sitwasyon,” he added.
But being always cautious, he acknowledges it’s not a done deal. He also admitted dealing with a lot of pressure that comes with the job.
“Siyempre malaking pressure,” he said on delivering a trophy on Wednesday. “Ayoko magpredict, we're just going to do our best.”
“This will boil down to execution,” Ayo noted. “Kung sino ‘yung pinakabuo [ang loob], sa tingin ko ‘yun ang mananalo dito eh. Labanan ito ng adjustment ang gagawin, kung sino makakaexecute ng game plans.”
Game Two of the UAAP Finals tips off at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Taft-based cagers registered records left and right. They garnered various player citations. All within the bid of bringing the UAAP crown back to Taft Avenue.
They’ve been through lots of tests, too: At the hands of an unpredictable Adamson Falcons, the resilient former champions FEU Tamaraws, and now, the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The season favorites have been on a roller-coaster ride. But everyone knows every milestone they’ve snared will be all for naught if they don’t win it all on Wednesday.
“After that Adamson game, na-challenge sila sa mga sinabi ko,” the coach shared. “First practice namin nagpakamatay ‘yung mga ‘yun at pinilit ibalik yung mga dating ginagawa namin.”
“‘Yung ball movement, execution, ‘yung crucial na plays, hindi nagone-on-one,” he offered. “Ibig sabihnn’un, naniniwala sila sa sistema.”
It was only during the Final Four when Ayo openly expressed his dismay over his boys’ “bad habits.” At one point, he hinted that some of his players were not sharing the basketball, which could cost them their chance for a title deep in their run.
“Extreme ‘yung case with Adamson,” the first-year UAAP coach said. “It could be very good or very bad. Magdedepende ang results kung paano sila magrerespond doon sa challenge na sinabi ko sa kanila.
“‘Yung gusto talagang manalo, minsan nawawala din ng landas. Aa a coach siyempre gusto mo na palagi silang nasa tamang sitwasyon,” he added.
But being always cautious, he acknowledges it’s not a done deal. He also admitted dealing with a lot of pressure that comes with the job.
“Siyempre malaking pressure,” he said on delivering a trophy on Wednesday. “Ayoko magpredict, we're just going to do our best.”
“This will boil down to execution,” Ayo noted. “Kung sino ‘yung pinakabuo [ang loob], sa tingin ko ‘yun ang mananalo dito eh. Labanan ito ng adjustment ang gagawin, kung sino makakaexecute ng game plans.”
Game Two of the UAAP Finals tips off at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
No comments:
Post a Comment