'MOUNTING tension' within the team after a bottom finish in the last PBA Philippine Cup and a loss to college team La Salle last week in a Davao pocket tournament led to the Converge split with head coach Aldin Ayo,
The tension that arose in the organization after a long stretch of losses has led to friction and disagreements that prompted management to make the change, sources told SPIN.ph.
READ Aldin Ayo out as Converge coach in stunning split
However, no bridges were burned and Ayo remains in good terms with top management, sources said, that he may be assigned another role in the Strong Group Athletics organization, which has been sending teams to big tournaments overseas and is set to put up its own 3x3 basketball program.
“Mabait si Aldin kaya hindi naman namin papabayaan. Nagkataon lang nag-pile up ang mga naging problema sa team,” said a Converge insider.
The same insider cast doubt that Ayo may he headed back to alma mater Letran, which he led to an NCAA championship, even if the Knights are one of the varsity programs supported by SGA chief Frank Lao.
The bigger question now is: “Who will replace Ayo?”
Former Alaska Aces assistant coach Franco Atienza has been tasked to take over from Ayo in an interim capacity, but insiders said his tenure will depend on the direction that team management will choose to take next.
Converge and the SGA group, at least, will be spoiled for choice with the battery of high-profile coaches that have long been linked to the organization.
Among them is Rajko Toroman, who is expected to take an active role in the team. The former Gilas Pilipinas coach already serves as consultant not only for SGA but also for Collegeo of St. Benilde, which Lao also backs, and Converge.
“Maraming coaches sa pool ang Converge eh. Puro high-profile yan, tandaan mo. And Rajko is the most senior and highly decorated of them all,” said the source.
Another name that crops up is newly minted Jones Cup champion coach Charles Tiu, although his head-coaching position at Benilde may keep him from moving up to the PBA, at least for now, insiders bared.
“Isa rin si Charles. Kaso may commitment si coach Charles sa College of St. Benilde, which is one of the supported teams ng Strong Group. So baka longshot pa yan,” said the source.
Asked if reigning MPBL champion coach Dennis “Delta” Pineda is in line to take over the Converge coaching job after being barred by the PBA board from taking the position as team governor, the Converge source said it's the Pampanga governor's call.
“Depende kay Gov 'yan. Pero syempre baka maging isyu na naman yan. Alam mo naman, may mainit kay Delta. Di na nga lang kumikibo yung tao,” said the Converge insider.
One insider, however, insisted there shouldn't be any hindrance to Pineda taking on a coaching job, saying "walang problema sa isyu ng politics kasi si [Rain or Shine] coach Yeng (Guiao), vice governor at congressman ng Pampanga dati."
Another possible candidate is SGA consultant Brian Goorjian, who is still fresh in the minds of PBA fans after leading the Bay Area Dragons to last year’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals which they lost to Ginebra in seven games.
Goorjian's contract as Australian coach is set to expire after the ongoing Paris Olympics.
READ Goorjian open to taking on Gilas, PBA jobs after Paris Olympics
Converge team manager Jacob Lao is not answering calls, but whoever takes over from Ayo will be in a better position to succeed after the team got a great haul from the last PBA draft that included No. 1 overall pick Justine Baltazar, Paolo Javillonar and Ben Phillips.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
