Even as Pinoy sports fans eagerly await with fanatical excitement the very exciting title confrontation of their fave teams in the UAAP and NCAA collegiate leagues, exasperating news surrounding Converge head coach Aldin Ayo are permeating the air.
It’s unfair that Ayo, after impressively piloting the Fiberexers to the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, talks that are woven in barbershops are flying fast that he is leaving to rejoin the DLSU Green Archers.
This is an outright lie. And cruel, too.
Ayo and Converge management have promptly denied the yarn.
Just because the Taft Ave.-based squad failed to land a UAAP Final Four slot (losing to Adamson in the playoff), that a coaching change is going to happen automatically.
Coach Derrick Pumaren capably steered his platoon under the circumstances, even though he was short-handed with his stars – Schonny Winston and Kevin Quiambao – out of commission.
I don’t have any idea from whom and from where the tall tale emanated.
The fact remains that the intriguing loose talk somewhat dented both Ayo’s and Pumaren’s personal integrity.
Ayo is credited with a championship he won for DLSU in 2018 after moving from Letran which he also coached to an NCAA crown the year before.
But his past successes does not mean Pumaren was soon to be kicked out so that the Green Archers (under Ayo anew) won’t have anymore embarrassing seasons in the UAAP.
Yes, Ayo’s current status as Converge bench strategist is not a guarantee.that he can transform the Green Archers from being second rate to first rate.
This is how the ball bounces.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
I think it is best for DLSU to keep Pumaren for the next season and support the guy with blanket authority to reorganize and rearrange the composition of the Green Archers.
(Ateneo’s Tab Baldwin enjoys a twice to beat privilege versus Adamson but is unsure even considering that he has a tall, imposing shifty center in Ange Kouame.)
Coaches agree that it takes at least three years to produce a championship-caliber team whether in the pros or amateur levels.
Look at the Lakers.
They got the best point guards to blend with Lebron James: Lonzo Ball, Angelo Young, Schroeder, Russel Westbrook but they are struggling to keep their heads above water. Even with a healthy AD submitting in super scores of 30 and above.
“Weather weather lang” as many are wont saying.
Ayo has transformed Converge into the ballclub to watch in the PBA today. Despite the intrigues and the “chismis.” (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahooc.om.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
