Rookie coaches Ayo, Jarin prove mettle, clash for title

San Beda coach Jamike Jarin

AS A VIRTUAL unknown in the coaching circle before taking over the Letran job, Aldin Ayo felt he had to do more to prove his worth in handling the Knights in NCAA Season 91.

As the newest coach of one of the most successful collegiate basketball programs in the country, San Beda mentor Jamike Jarin felt the pressure with each game, his every misstep magnified.

And despite proving his ability with the youth national teams, he had to build his reputation once more while calling the shots for the Red Lions.

The two rookie coaches find themselves on opposite sides as San Beda and Letran—fierce rivals in the country’s oldest collegiate league—dispute the title starting tomorrow at Mall of Asia Arena.

The two coaches are a study in contrast with Ayo described by his players as an emotional leader, who takes motivation every time his team gets underestimated.

Jarin is the smooth, calculating tactician who squeezes the best out of his players by letting them to do their thing on the court.

By taking their teams to the finals, both Ayo and Jarin have proven they belong in the big leagues.

“I come from Sorsogon and I just want to make the most out of this opportunity,” said Ayo after the Knights edged the Mapua Cardinals, 91-90, in their Final Four clash last Tuesday. “We’re not just happy to be in the finals. We want to win the championship.”

The Knights are one of two teams in the league who did not tap a foreign reinforcement this season and Ayo said reaching the championship round makes their feat even more “gratifying.”

Jarin also had his share of critics during the course of the season.

“At the start of the season, people criticized me for playing too many players, the lack of killer instinct,” said Jarin, whose squad ousted Jose Rizal U, 78-68.