La Salle coach Aldin Ayo. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Having clinched a spot in the Final Four and riding the crest of their longest winning streaks in recent years, the La Salle Green Archers feel the burden of expectation building with every game.
Their latest response was an offensive outburst unlike any other in UAAP Season 79.
“The Final Four doesn’t matter anymore to me, I just want to win the championship,” said La Salle coach Aldin Ayo after the Archers recorded their highest offensive output of the season in a 113-88 demolition of the National U Bulldogs last night for their 10th straight win at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
“Everything that we are doing will be put to naught if we don’t win the championship.”
Earlier, rookie Jolo Mendoza fired a career-high 15 points as Ateneo snapped a two-game slide with a 75-61 drubbing of University of the East.
The results meant the Eagles (5-4) edged ahead of the Bulldogs (4-6) and the Adamson Falcons (4-5) in the Final Four race.
Ayo admits the pressure of keeping their winning run is already getting into some of the players of his deep and talented squad.
He stays near the players’ dormitory just outside the campus in Taft Avenue to make himself more accessible to the team.
“Those kids are feeling the pressure right now. I counsel them,” said Ayo. “I tell them every time you feel the pressure, we counter it with hard work.”