Ayo concerned about Ateneo’s ‘spirit’, but ‘very optimistic’ for La Salle

Naveen Ganglani

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Ayo concerned about Ateneo’s ‘spirit’, but ‘very optimistic’ for La Salle
The head coach says his Green Archers have moved on after their performance against Adamson

MANILA, Philippines – After watching in attendance as the Ateneo Blue Eagles eliminated the FEU Tamaraws to set up a best-of-3 championship series against his DLSU Green Archers, head coach Aldin Ayo admitted that he is concerned about their upcoming opponents’ “spirit” and “willingness to win.”

However, the head coach is also positive about the chances of his Green Archers, who according to him have shown dedication in recent practices.

Yung (Their) spirit, yung (their) willingness to win, it will be a game of who wants it more,” was Ayo’s response to a question about his concerns for Ateneo while talking to the media.

The Blue Eagles are entering the finals that begin on Saturday, December 3, with momentum after winning 7 of their last 8 games, including a defeat of La Salle – the Green Archers’ lone loss in UAAP Season 79.

Ayo admitted on Wednesday that the loss to the Blue Eagles hit him hard.

Yun yung mga talo na feeling mo, nawala sayo lahat eh. Sa La Salle kasi, grand expectation. Although isang talo lang namin yun, pero feeling namin nawala lahat eh,” he explained.

(That’s the kind of loss where you feel you lost everything. At La Salle, it’s grand expectations. Although it was our only loss, we felt we lost everything.)

Personal saakin, wala naman ako ibang ginagawa kung hindi basketball lang talaga. Para saakin, personal, dito ako kumukuha nang self esteem ko, dito ako kumukuha nang self confidence ko, tsaka duon mo makikita ano yung naramdaman ko after that loss.”

(It’s personal for me. I don’t do anything but basketball. For me, it’s personal, this is where I get my self esteem, my self confidence, and that’s where you’ll see what I felt after that loss.)

Ayo then continued, “Feeling ko, nawala lahat, pero kagandahan, feeling lang yun. Isang talo lang naman eh. We have a chance to redeem ourselves, and maganda kasi Ateneo.”

(I felt like everything was lost, but the good thing is it was just a feeling. That was just one loss. We have a chance to redeem ourselves, and it’s nice cause it’s Ateneo.)

Ayo, La Salle’s rookie head coach, also said that he and the team have moved on from their disappointing Final Four performance against Adamson.

Following the close win against the Falcons, Ayo was very disappointed with his team’s showing, even questioning why some players don’t want to pass the ball once the televisions and cameras are rolling.

We’ve moved on from that game. Bumawi naman yung mga bata. Yung mga players duon sa ensayo namin, maganda tinakbo. Physically, ready yung mga bata. Kung motivated, of course they are motivated cause it’s Ateneo.”

(We’ve moved on from that game. The boys made up for it. Those who were practicing performed well. Physically, the boys are ready. They’re motivated because it’s Ateneo.)

Ayo then went as far as to say he’s positive with what he’s seeing, and that it’s better late than never for La Salle to give in to his system.

“I’m very optimistic, the way I see it during the practice. Kita ko yung (I see their) body language, yung gesture nang mga bata na (I see) they have surrendered to the system. Again, it’s very odd na at this stage, championship, duon palang mangyayari, pero mas maganda na yung ganito (that’s only when it will happen, but it’s good anyway). Better late than never.” – Rappler.com

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