UAAP: Ateneo’s Baldwin calls UST’s Ayo ‘blessing to Philippine basketball’

Reigning UAAP basketball champion head coach Tab Baldwin of the Ateneo Blue Eagles had high praise for UST counterpart Aldin Ayo after an exhilerating showdown between the two schools in the Season 82 elimination round Wednesday.

The two-time defending champs Ateneo narrowly beat the Growling Tigers in come-from-behind fashion, 71-70 to remain undefeated at 3-0 in their campaign for a three-peat.

According to Tiebreaker Times, Baldwin spoke after the game and called the UST head coach a “blessing to Philippine basketball.”

“I was really happy that he said good game to me after the game I think that’s the first time ever you know.”

“I just have so much respect for him and the way he does his job and you know he’s a blessing for Philippine Basketball, for the UAAP,” he expressed.

Before moving to UST, Ayo delivered championships to both Letran in the NCAA and the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP.

Known for his patented “mayhem” defense, Ayo has gained the respect of his colleagues throughout the years.

Baldwin added, per TBT:

Aldin always has a couple of tactical things up his sleeve you know, but we prepared really well. We prepared very intensively. So we had a good look at his systems,” admitted Baldwin.

 “They were very well prepared as well. And there weren’t too many wrinkles.”