MANILA, Philippines - More than the intense hardcourt action expected from every Ateneo-La Salle game, this dream finals provides the venue for a highly competitive coaching duel between two celebrated coaches out to score Cinderella finishes in the UAAP – the Green Archers’ Aldin Ayo and the Blue Eagles’ Tab B aldwin.
Ayo joined the Archers camp to bring the “mayhem basketball” that earned him success in his previous stint with 2015 NCAA champ Letran while Baldwin took the reins for the young Blue Eagles squad after serving duties with Gilas Pilipinas in a high-profile coaching change for the two squads.
For a second time, Ayo stands right in the middle of a titanic battle between two proud collegiate basketball rivals.
“Syempre excited. Hindi ko alam e, first year ko sa NCAA, biggest rivalry ng NCAA, Letran versus San Beda. Ngayon first year ko sa UAAP, La Salle versus Ateneo (I’m excited. It may be my destiny as a coach. In my first year in the NCAA, I was part of the biggest rivalry in the league, Letran against San Beda and in my first stint in the UAAP, it’s La Salle against Ateneo),” he said.
Ayo finds himself on the opposite side of the fence as, unlike before when he was the underdog with Letran against powerhouse San Beda over in the NCAA, his current team DLSU enters as heavy favorites this time against Ateneo.
“Different situations but one thing remains, gusto ko manalo (I want to win),” said Ayo, grateful for having the opportunity to do a job he loves and get a shot at a personal “golden double” in collegiate basketball.
Baldwin, for his part, feels invigorated guiding his young pupils over at AdMU.
“This has been a learning experience for me in the UAAP and I’m still learning,” he said.
Baldwin’s kids have grown up quite fast during the season, clearly proving this in the Final Four sudden death against holder Far Eastern, where they grinded out a 69-68 overtime squeaker to get a crack at the diadem against La Salle.
“I just feel blessed to be involved with them. I’ve been through things like these on several occasions in my career and these guys are outstanding to work with; they really listen, they’re a credit to the university, to the Ateneo community,” he said.