La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
La Salle could be the most talented team from top down this UAAP Season 79, but it won’t be enjoying that 10-0 record if not for its cohesion.
And here’s where coach Aldin Ayo’s background as a seminarian comes in handy. He said he has been counseling his players through the course of the Green Archers’ campaign this year.
Favored to dominate the field this season, the one-time NCAA champion coach eases the pressure on his players, making them feel comfortable as they juggle the rigors of the season and as their academic duties.
“Madaming pressure dyan, pero I always talk to them individually. There are players na nakakaramdam na ng pressure kaya lumalabas na ako ang nagka-counsel sa kanila. Sanay naman ako doon because when I was in the seminary, ganoon ang ginagawa namin, so ginagawa ko rin yun sa mga bata ngayon,” he said.
Ayo has also gone out of his way and stayed with the players’ quarters at Agno street beside the campus, as he hopes to strengthen the team’s familial bond while further understanding the demands and problems of his players.
“Those kids right now are feeling the pressure, and ang sabi ko sa kanila every time you feel the pressure, just counter it with hard work and continue doing the routine,” he said. “Usually to some, just to release the pressure, gigimik. Kami hindi. Pag nape-pressure kami, the more we stick to our routine. We practice, go to classes, go to the gym, rest, eat the right food, everything. I allow them to go out, but they go out with their families and their girlfriends.”
Ayo’s approach couldn’t be more different with what he implemented in Letran last year, and the Green Archers are seeing the same level of success the Knights had.
“Kung titingnan natin ang mindset ng mga bata, they are always ready regardless kung kelan ko sila ipapasok. Hindi talaga sila mapapagod kasi ang haba ng rotation namin eh. The 15 guys were able to play and lots of them were able to contribute. They were players that I did not use in the first half, but I used them in the second half and still they delivered,” he said.
La Salle’s confidence must be at an all-time high with the way things are going, but Ayo believes that his boys shouldn’t be complacent with still a long season to go.
“Kung maganda yung magiging approach, kung maganda yung practice plan, maganda yung game plan, hindi magma-matter yung complacency. Magde-depend yun kung paano mo ise-set ang mga utak ng mga players, and sila naman, nakaka-amoy yan,” he said. “Wala sa ugali ng coaching staff yun dahil kami nakikita nila na nandoon ako nakatira with them, nakikita nila kung paano kami mag-trabaho every day. They don’t see any sign of complacency on us.”
And Ayo is hopeful that his players continue following the the coaching staff’s example.
“Mas maganda kasi yung action than just advising them. Pag nakikita nila kung paano kami mag-trabaho, sila mismo, napu-push din sila,” he said.