LA Salle coach Aldin Ayo was more than glad to give back and return to his NBTC roots after coaching Team Superstar in the National High School Championship Division 2 All-Star Game on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ayo coached the Team Superstar squad that beat Team Elite, 106-75, on Thursday in a game played by the top performers in the recently-concluded Division 2 national high school tournament.
Ayo said he made sure his schedule was free just so that he can coach in the Division 2 All-Star Game.
“It feels good especially galing ako sa NBTC. Kinontak ako nila coach Eric (Altamirano) and coach Alex (Compton). Sabi ko, siyempre pupunta ako. Kahit tight ‘yung schedule, I’ll do my best to be very available,” said Ayo.
Ayo was able to jumpstart his coaching career as his basketball clinic back in Sorsogon City was able to join the local tournaments organized by the NBTC.
The La Salle champion coach also found it refreshing to lead his All-Star team, made up of young cagers who came from the provinces like him.
“For me, madali kasi galing ako probinsya. Galing din sila probinsya. Alam ko nararamdaman nila. Sabi ko sa kanila, I introduced myself and the first thing I said was galing din ako probinsya kaya alam ko nararamdaman ninyo," he said.
“Eto ang dapat niyong gawin. Alam kong kinakabahan kayo or excited kayo kaya bottom line is basketball lang ‘to. We have to enjoy this. And alam ko gusto niyo ilabas ‘yung laro niyo pero mangyayari lang ‘yun kung magiging natural kayo,” added Ayo.
While it is still an All-Star game, Ayo made it a point to put some semblance of team play and defense in the match.
“Kung ano ‘yung usual na ginagawa niyo, gawin niyo lang. Hindi naman ako magseset ng schemes na kokontrolin ‘yung capabilities niyo. Ang gagawin niyo lang, pakakawalan ko kayo pero you have your teammates. So you have to be responsible also na if you are not free, give extra passes, and siyempre, depensa na although All-Star game, you have to play defense also,” Ayo said.