Masakit para sa UST Growling Tigers ang kabiguan sa titulo nang tumiklop nitong Miyerkoles na UAAP season 82 men’s basketball tournament 2019.
Pero ipinunto ni Aldin Ayo na makakatulong sa kanyang koponan ang sakit na naranasan para sa susunod na taon.
“I told the kids na it is more painful to lose in the Finals than not making it to the Final Four. I told them that na dumating kami dito, we need to make sure that we are up to it. Mas masakit ito. Pero ito ‘yung sakit na for sure na matututo kami. Next season madadala namin ‘yung experience namin this season especially sa nine rookies namin,” litanya ng coach ng Espanya-based dribblers.
Aminado si Aldin na dehado ang kanyang koponan sa experience lalo pa’t karamihan sa kanila sa mga ito rookies.
“I’m sure, they were able to learn a lot, especially playing in a Finals atmosphere. Du’n kami nagkaproblema nung Game 1,” bahagi pa ng USTe mentor.
“‘Yung Game 2 naman, there were stretches na I was really disappointed. There were things na ‘di namin nagawa especially sa depensa. But I told the boys that I may look like disappointed but actually, I was disappointed with myself and sa coaching staff. ‘Yun ‘yung mga bagay na tinrabaho namin nung pre-season na lumabas dito sa Finals na in-exploit ng Ateneo,” esplika niya.
Kumpiyansa naman si Ayo na babalik na mas malakas ang Growling Tigers sa 2020.
“Well, yes I can say yes [improvement from past programs]. We always want to improve. Last year, we ended up sixth. This year, we made it to the Finals. Our mindset is, even if we made it here, marami pa kaming kulang at dapat trabahuin. (Janiel Abby Toralba)