Converge coach Aldin Ayo. –PBA IMAGES
Rely coach Aldin Ayo among the many many shocked over Converge’s run up to now within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The FiberXers have compiled a 5-2 document within the midseason showcase, inside that mark a four-game profitable streak that counts heavyweights San Miguel Beer, TNT and Meralco as victims.
“We’re not anticipating this,” Ayo mentioned as he shook his head throughout a chat with the Inquirer shortly after whipping Blackwater over the weekend.
“Our precedence actually is to determine a system,” he went on. “That’s actually our concern.”
It’s not just like the rookie PBA coach will not be delighted to see this crew he inherited from the remnants of the final of the Alaska Aces squad thrive in his first convention on the helm. He’s merely taking the lengthy view.
“It’s good that every one that is taking place,” he mentioned of the streak, which is at present the league’s second-longest behind Phoenix’s 5 straight that was solid on the expense of TNT later that evening.
“However actually, what’s necessary for us right here is to determine one thing—as a result of on the finish of the day, if we wish to be actually profitable, to essentially get far, a footing needs to be there. We’ve got to have a basis in place,” he mentioned.
Ayo additionally stored it easy when requested in regards to the one factor that has spurred Converge’s stride.
“All people is sticking to a system. That’s all there may be to it,” he mentioned. “All the gamers, particularly [import] Q (Quincy Miller) is making plenty of changes to be that huge man that our system wants. Different gamers are taking the cue from that. Everyone seems to be simply shopping for into the system.”
Working third, Converge nonetheless has 5 video games left in its elimination spherical marketing campaign. Considered one of them is towards crowd darling Barangay Ginebra, dealt with by no much less the league’s winningest coach in Tim Cone.
Face-off with biggest
Quincy Miller (with ball, photograph above) has confirmed himself as greater than an ideal match for the up-tempo system of rookie coach Aldin Ayo (left photograph) for the upstart FiberXers. —PBA IMAGES.
The 2 golf equipment had been presupposed to face off early into the convention, however that duel was postponed as a result of dangerous climate.
And Ayo feels that the event is working in his favor.
“It’s a little bit of a blessing that it was pushed again. That offers me extra time to acclimatize to the setting of the PBA. Additionally, extra time to study earlier than enjoying the winningest coach whom we sort out on the finish [of the round],” he mentioned.
“It’s like getting ready me for the primary occasion,” he went on with a smile.
Between now and the conflict with the Gin Kings, the FiberXers will nonetheless need to play NLEX, Phoenix, Rain or Shine, after which NorthPort.
And Ayo will not be taking that stretch with no consideration.
“I’m nonetheless in the identical headspace—that each recreation, daily, each follow, I’ve to study. I’ve at all times been a pupil of this recreation. And as days go by, issues are understanding for me for the higher.
“I bear in mind going up towards coach Leo [Austria], coach Norman [Black], and coach Chot [Reyes]. I get to study one thing little alongside the way in which. Each time you get to compete with these nice coaches, you are inclined to get one thing.”
In associated league information, Meralco is reeling in KJ McDaniels to salvage its woeful marketing campaign, in line with Black.
The Bolts are at present 1-5 within the convention and are pinning their hopes for a turnaround on the 29-year-old American who has confirmed himself dependable to the golf equipment’ company siblings TNT and only in the near past, NLEX.
McDaniels peaked proper in time for the Highway Warriors over the last Governors’ Cup, however needed to return to america for the start of his first little one.
A bit undersized for the Commissioner’s Cup at 6-foot-6, McDaniels replaces authentic selection Johnny O’Bryant, whom the Bolts had been pressured to stay to after Jessie Govan was measured to be over the 6-foot-10 top restrict.
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