HOW do you get fit enough to execute La Salle coach Aldin Ayo’s ‘Mayhem’ pressure defense?
Going through his rigorous training regimen for the reigning UAAP champions is easier said than done, but wearing the proper pair of shoes to get you through the grind will make the transition smoother.
The Green Archers coach showed a glimpse of how he whips his wards into tip-top shape last Saturday when he conducted an almost two-hour training session where Nike Philippines unveiled the PG1, Paul George’s first signature shoe.
Over 80 Nike+ members and media men each had the privilege to try out a pair of the NBA superstar’s signature sneakers and used them to keep up with Ayo’s already tiring warm-up drills at the start of the Full Court Ferocity Experience at the Kerry Sports Manila gym inside Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig.
Nike Philippines marketing manager Pat Reyes initially introduced George’s debut signature kicks, before introducing the day’s trainer in Ayo, who brought along his assistant coaches including Glenn Capacio.
UAAP Rookie of the Year Aljun Melecio along with fellow Green Archers standouts Kib Montalbo, Andrei Caracut, and Ricci Rivero also assisted their coaches in conducting the drills.
Ayo was hardly concerned in revealing what’s supposedly are trade secrets in training his players into the champions they are.
“Sa akin, hindi ako natatakot na ilabas ko kung ano yung mga ginagawa namin,” Ayo began in a short chat with scribes after the session. “Kasi once na nilabas mo yun, at once na na-counter yan, mao-obliga kang mag-isip ng bago, so ako, every time na may naka-counter dun sa ginagawa ko, nao-obliga ako mag-isip ng ibang ginagawa.”
“Sa akin naman lagi, I always go for the unconventional approach sa basketball eh, because as much as possible, I don’t want to be predictable,” the former Letran champion coach added.
“Kahit saan ako pumunta, lahat ng binibigay kong insights, yun yung mga actual na ginagawa namin. Sa akin, you don’t need to hide things. Wala namang naitatago sa basketball eh. Once na ginawa mo yun sa court, gagayahin na yun, tapos ngayon pa na napakagaling na ng mga scouts.”
The PG1s hold well against Ayo’s constant grind – his trademark suffocating full-court defense.
“Itong PG1, nasa gitna (yung cut) eh, so bigs and small guys can use this,” Ayo said. “And yung fit, kita niyo naman, kapit na kapit eh.”
One of his versatile players in high-flying wingman Rivero can already attest to how the PG1 is perfect for his game.
“Yung shoes kasi, syempre at first, there’s a difference dun sa pang-big man and pang-small man, parang super comfortable siya for me, kasi low cut talaga hinahanap ko na shoes for playing games,” Rivero said.
