Ayo's Way

Photo: Rappler.com

In only his first season as a PBA head coach, Converge FiberXers' Aldin Ayo has made it clear that it's his show by making an example of both his Commissioner's Cup and Governor's Cup imports-- tournament standings/ seedings be damned.

If memory serves us right, the 6"10 Quincy Miller who was averaging nearly 31 points a game while leading the team to an 8-2 start was benched in a match against NorthPort due to disciplinary measures. This led to the team bowing out of the conference, as they couldn't recover or regroup from that loss.

Recently, in the ongoing season-ending Governor's Cup, it's the high-scoring Jamaal Franklin's turn to be sent home. This, following a series of 30-40+ point games which really brought more fans to the games. After a 50+ point output, it was said that Ayo told his import to share the basketball some more. Which, well, the import followed to the letter in a crucial match against Barangay Ginebra. Things got so bad, that Franklin simply refused to shoot and just kept passing the ball even when he was wide open for easy bunnies.

You could make an argument against Franklin, and how immature/ unprofessional he carried himself in that match. Then again, things could have been handled by both parties differently. After all, Converge continues to be on the rise as one of the league's newest darkhorse (overtaking the rebuilding Rain or Shine and the somewhat 'lost' Phoenix group). For a while there, as a PBA hoops fan, Converge was starting to put up a fight much like the old Alaska Aces franchise, which they inherited.

They brought in a replacement to start the semifinals, and while Tom Vordanovich finished with 39 points and displayed great team basketball, it wasn't enough to salvage a win and extend Converge's campaign.

Still, Ayo, to his credit, has proven that his style of coaching (at least on the Xs and Os front) works on the PBA level. Converge has enjoyed respectable outings, and there appears to be great player development with budding young stars: Maverick Ahanmisi, Alec Stockton, Justin Arana, Barkley Ebona and Jeron Teng. A few more pieces could definitely help improve Converge and solidify their claim as the PBA's 7th elite team (since slots 1-6 are already held by the SMC-MVP umbrellas). 

One thing's for sure though, as long as Ayo's in command, it's definitely his way or the high way when it comes to his players.