Ayo eager to rekindle rivalry with Jarin in UAAP

Jamike Jarin and Aldin Ayo (Coaches of the Year). Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

When Aldin Ayo and Jamike Jarin crossed paths in the 91st season of the NCAA, a rivalry was immediately born.

Both first timers in the league, Jarin and Ayo led San Beda and Letran, the two schools who own the most storied feud in NCAA history, respectively.

But both coaches have jumped to the UAAP with Ayo towing La Salle to a title last season and Jarin joining National University for Season 80.

READ: No more pressure for La Salle in chase for another title

Ayo couldn’t be any happier than to renew their budding rivalry in another league starting this season.

“Our rivalry will always be there because we have a past in the NCAA, we have history,” said Ayo Thursday at Montgomery Place after he received his second Coach of the Year award in the Collegiate Basketball Awards.

“I’m happy for him that he’s here in the UAAP.”

Jarin will be in charge of a rebuilding Bulldogs side, which won the title in 2014 but fell out of the Final Four last year.

READ: La Salle sweeps Ateneo to capture UAAP Season 79 crown

Ayo expects to NU to improve under his rival’s tutelage, which adds more challenge to La Salle’s back-to-back bid.

“I take it as a challenge because coach Jamike is a great coach and for sure he’ll improve NU,” said Ayo.