La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo gives out instructions to his players during a game against rival Ateneo in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup on Sunday, May 29, 2016, at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Aldin Ayo is still a stranger when it comes to the storied history between Ateneo and his new team De La Salle University.
But as far as rivalries are concerned, it’s something Ayo, a former head coach of Letran, is all too familiar with.
Ayo won the NCAA title in his first and only season with the Knights last year and it came at the expense of arch nemesis San Beda.
“Yung sa pre-game kanina, sinabi ko wala akong ideya kung ano meron sa Ateneo versus La Salle, pero may ideya ako sa rivalry,” said Ayo as his Green Archers crushed the Blue Eagles, 98-66, Sunday in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup at San Juan Arena.
“In terms of rivalry pag may ganong laro, everything levels out, walang ranking na pinag-uusapan. Pride lang ng school.”
Ayo may have said rival teams are in an equal playing field but his Green Archers proved they are in a higher echelon after dominating the Blue Eagles from the opening tip.