Aldin Ayo on not starting Jeron Teng: ‘We want to be unpredictable’

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in the 5 years he’s been in the UAAP, Jeron Teng wasn’t part of the DLSU Green Archers’ starting line-up when they faced the UST Growling Tigers on Wednesday, September 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

According to La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo, this was due to two reasons: their preparation for UST, and for the team to have a semblance of unpredictability.

“That decision was based on the game plan also of UST for their past two games,” Ayo said after his ‘Mayhem’ Green Archers smashed UST, 100-62.

“I told JT naman (that) the minutes will always be there, but the timing, kung kailan siya ipapasok (when he will be inserted), we’re going to adjust on that.”

Teng came into the DLSU-UST match with averages of 20 points and 3.5 rebounds a game this season. On Wednesday, he finished with 13 points – but on 6-of-20 shooting, including 1-of-6 from the foul line – plus 5 rebounds and two assists in 19.5 minutes.

“For us kasi, as much as possible we want to be unpredictable, na we want the opposing teams to keep on guessing,” said Ayo, who’s now 3-0 in his first UAAP season with La Salle.

After being unable to put the Growling Tigers away for good in the first half, La Salle dominated the third period, 29-14, and went on to lead by as much as 41 in a game where they won by the second largest margin of victory in the last 6 years in the UAAP.

DLSU also scored 100 points in regulation for the first time since 2005, and forced the most turnovers by an opponent (40) since 2003.

“This is what happens if we play as a team,” said Ayo. DLSU currently stands atop the UAAP standings.

“Ever since naman, yun yung wino-work out namin, kung paano mabuo yung team chemistry. Paano ma-execute yung game plan.”

(From the start, that’s what we’ve been working on, how to fill in the team chemistry and how to execute the game plan.)

The head coach further said, “It’s just a matter of absorbing the system and surrendering to the system, and doing what they are asked to do by the coaches.” – Rappler.com