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    Mike DiGregorio breaks out after heart-to-heart talk with Aldin Ayo

    DiGregorio asks coach, 'Why am I not playing?' Ayo gives an honest answer
    Oct 22, 2022
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    MIke DiGregorio shoots 3 for 4 in over 16 minutes of action as Aldin Ayo and the FiberXers scores their third win in five games.
    PHOTO: PBA Images

    MIKE DiGregorio saw action for Converge for the first time after three games, and he delivered in the FiberXers’ win over San Miguel.

    DiGregorio finished with 12 points including a late three that tied the game at 100 before the FiberXers wrapped up a 106-102 win over the Beermen in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Friday night.

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    Not bad, really, for his first game since their debut game of the conference where he played for only four minutes and scored two points in the FiberXers’ victory over Terrafirma last September 23.

    The clutch performance of DiGregorio happened after a candid conversation between him and head coach Aldin Ayo, which he appreciated.

    “He approached me and he asked me why he doesn’t have the minutes,” Ayo said. “And I explained it that you have to adjust first to the system. It’s not only the offensive end but more specifically on defense. We prioritize it.”

    “I appreciate Mike D’s honesty. He approached me [and said], ‘Coach, what’s wrong with me?’ Since he opened the communication [line], I was able to open everything to him. He listened,” said Ayo.

    Aldin Ayo Converge vs MeralcoThe FiberXers are in joint third at 3-2.

    DiGregorio said he initiated the conversation because of his competitiveness and his desire to play on the court after missing those three straight games for the FiberXers. The 30-year-old DiGregorio also said he is confident that he can help the team with the minutes on the court with all the work he put on.

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    “I just spoke to him as a player-coach. Obviously, he has a great relationship with his players. And he is open to conversations. I just spoke to him and told him obviously, I want to play. I work extremely, extremely hard.

    "I think anybody that knows me personally knows that I live in the gym. I stay there early. I stay there late. I’m always in the gym working. When you put so much into something, you want to play, you want to show what you can do.”

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      DiGregorio said he also appreciates the gesture of Ayo to speak his mind during the conversation.

      “He was receptive and honest with me. I’m not saying I’m perfect. These are things that I need to work on. We had a good conversation and I was able to get out there today and help the team win,” said DiGregorio.

      “Part of that honesty was just as a player, you always have a healthy ego. That’s why we are in the PBA. That’s why we are at the professional level. You have an ego about yourself. And that is good in a positive way.

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      "You have the confidence because when you work at something so much, you have a passion for something, you have confidence in what you can do and bring to the team. We just have an honest conversation about it, talked to him and told him that I’m a super, super competitive person.

      "When I wasn’t playing, that fire in me builds up. I have a chip on my shoulder. I was happy that I was able to go out there and produce for the team and help the team win,” said DiGregorio.

      Ayo was glad that DiGregorio delivered in the 16 minutes that he was on the floor. He started out aggressive with five points in the first quarter before the clutch shot in the fourth.

      “Before the game, I told him, ‘Don’t be afraid to commit mistakes. Just play your game. You are going to get the minutes, but no pressure.’ I told him, we are going to look for you, we are going to execute the plays, and most likely, the ball will end up on you,” said Ayo.

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      After the conversation and his performance on Friday, DiGregorio said he is not expecting anything, but assured that he will continue to work hard during practice in order to earn the minutes.

      “I don’t expect anything. That’s the mindset that I should have, it’s to keep working, to stay working, and not get complacent. Just because I played today doesn’t guarantee me anything,” he added.

      “I’ll just say that I’m focused on what I can control. I try to stay on the mindset to control what I can control. Everything outside of that is just noise. I think when you start to focusing on the what ifs, scenarios, and things that haven’t materialized, you lose focus. My focus is what I have to do today ton get better and work on my game. When the game comes, the preparation leading up to the game should allow me to perform,” said DiGregorio.

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      MIke DiGregorio shoots 3 for 4 in over 16 minutes of action as Aldin Ayo and the FiberXers scores their third win in five games.
      PHOTO: PBA Images
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