The coach targeted the GOAT, and he succeeded.
Only the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings remain undefeated in the PBA Governors’ Cup, as the Converge FiberXers outlasted the San Miguel Beermen on Saturday, 107-103, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Converge, which has been making noise in the season-ending conference, has now jumped to a 5-1 record as it tries to barge into the tier of elite PBA teams.
The man in the center of this rise is coach Aldin Ayo, who has won championship in various levels, including the UAAP and the NCAA.
On Saturday, Ayo once again proved his championship pedigree.
Facing the Philippine Cup champs San Miguel, Ayo made a game plan that targeted six-time PBA MVP and arguably GOAT of the PBA, June Mar Fajardo.
The strategy? Pick up the pace and make Fajardo work on defense.
“Well, we want to take June Mar [Fajardo] away from the game right away,” Ayo told the media in the post-game press conference. “So, I told the boys, ‘Just play our game, make sure that we get the pace, make June Mar a liability on defense.’”
A man of Fajardo’s credentials and character may not be immune to criticisms. But when Ayo did not mince words, he made the super Fajardo look not just normal, but a net negative on the hardwood.
“He’s probably the best player in terms of offense, but may mga lapses din naman si June Mar eh. Everybody knows it,” Ayo explained.
The FiberXers tactician pointed out that The Kraken's dominant offense and defensive shortcomings was a package that would ultimately be a plus for his team—if they attack it the right way.
“’Yun ang trade-off eh, and we [wanted] to exploit that.”
It sure looked like they did, as Fajardo finished with only 7 points on 3-for-4 shooting. The Kraken also fouled out with less than three minutes remaining in the game.
Most importantly, Converge got the win.
Ayo succeeded.
And with an import like Jamaal Franklin, the FiberXers are out to prove they are a force to be reckoned with in this season-ending conference.