Archers focusing on unpredictability

MANILA, Philippines — A new challenge is dangling for Aldin Ayo and the De La Salle Green Archers.

To repeat as champions is a given, but the second-year UAAP mentor said he’s eyeing for his team to evolve.

“We’re doing new things because of course, you have to present new things sa table,” he said. “‘Mayhem' has laways been there. Actually it’s not only on defense. It’s on offense also.”

Ayo said they have to learn how to be unpredictable and to not lean too much on Season 79 Most Valuable Player Ben Mbala.

“Fourteen guys are capable of playing so kung sino yung mainit dun kami pupunta. Not necessarily pupunta kami kay Ben or kay Ricci (Rivero) or kay Aljun (Melecio),” he said. “Kung sino maganda ‘yung gising, siya ang pupuntahan.”

And that responsibility, Ayo added, is not something restricted to the aforementioned names.

“I’m expecting 'yung mga second stringers ko last year ay magre-respond sa bigger roles nila ngayon,” he said. "Excited kami kasi matagal kaming nag-prepare.”

De La Salle finished last year with the glittering hardware and a win shy from a sweep of the eliminations.

But he also believes that the feat will be harder to pull off as opposing teams have bgan adjusting to their play.

"You cant rely on the things you did last season,” he shared. “Nag-evolve 'yung sistema namin and madami kaming ginawa na bago. Hopefully maging effective.”

The Archers open their Season 80 campaign and as they rekindle their rivalry with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws — now led by PBA great Olsen Racela. The two teams figured in a preseason scuffle last August.