ALDIN Ayo admitted it was tough letting go of prized player Jeron Teng, but such is the business of basketball.
Aldin Ayo on losing Jeron Teng
"Of course, it was very difficult," said Ayo, talking for the first time about the stunning move of the FiberXers management to place the 29-year-old Teng unprotected in the free agency market.
Ayo's association with Teng goes a long way back during their days with the La Salle Green Archers where they won a UAAP men's championship together.
They were eventually reunited at Converge after Ayo took over the coaching chores from Jeff Cariaso following a one conference stint after the sale of the Alaska franchise to the FiberXers.
By the end of the season, Teng also emerged as the team's second-leading scorer behind Maverick Ahanmisi.
"He's very familiar with our system," said Ayo of the playing son of retired PBA player Alvin Teng.
As they say, not all good things last, though.
"There are things we don't have control of. And I think it's part of the job, and a part of being here in the PBA," said Ayo during the PBA Media Day at the Esplanade.
Teng found an immediate taker, however, in San Miguel, which signed him to a two-year deal.
Ayo said he didn't have a chance to talk to Teng following their parting of ways.
But for someone who knows his former player for a long time, Ayo is aware Teng is professional enough to understand the situation.
"I think ok naman. Kami naman ni Jeron ever since magkasama kami sa La Salle since 2016, nung naghiwalay kami, ok naman kami," said Ayo, who left La Salle in 2017 to transfer to University of Santo Tomas.
"Every time na magkikita kami ok naman."
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