Ayo out to prove critics wrong as La Salle begins Filiol bid

MANILA, Philippines – Aldin Ayo was put into the microscope after transferring from Letran in the NCAA to La Salle in the UAAP early this year.

Now Ayo will have a chance to prove himself as he debuts for the Archers when they collide with the Adamson Falcons in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup starting this Saturday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Ayo hopes to bring the same aggressive system he used in steering Letran to last year's improbably NCAA title run to La Salle, a team seeking to regain its old championship form with a good run in this pre-season tournament.

La Salle though is still adjusting to Ayo's demanding style of play.

“We’re still learning the system,” said Paulo Sauler, one of Ayo's assistants who was also part of the old team under former coach Juno Sauler.

"But we'll get there," he added.

To help ease the transition, Ayo brought with him his Letran assistants Glenn Capacio and Luis Gonzales.

The key though is for the Archers to embrace Ayo's system.

“I think we have the players to execute what coach Aldin wants,” said Sauler. “We have the athletes and youth to make it work. With Ben (Mbala) in the line-up, he will address some of our height issues.

"That will free up our bigs like Abu and Larry to help grab those rebounds and do some scoring," he added.

Jeron Teng, Thomas Torres and Kib Montalbo will be the last remnants of the same La Salle team that won the UAAP crown a couple of years ago.

Other members of the squad are Prince Rivero, Abu Tratter, Jollo Go, Andrei Caracut, Larry Muyang, Andrew Langston, Jayboy Gob, Aljun Melecio, Ricci Rivero, Mark Dyke and Brent Paraiso.

Of course, there's Mbala, the Cameroonian who will finally get to play after his debut last year was averted following eligibility violations.

Tickets to the tournament are available at the venue gate as well as Ticketnet outlets.