AFTER a brief coaching stint with Muntinlupa three years ago, Aldin Ayo tries to weave his magic anew as he steers the wheel for Bicol-LCC in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational.
He has his work cut out for him.
“This is a different level. Cream of the crop ito. These are players that are standouts in college, that’s why they are here,” Ayo said recently in the league’s official group draw at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.
“Different approach, but almost the same system. They have to play within the system.
They have to compete because hindi na ito college. Mas mataas na iyong level ng competition,” he added.
The league founded by senator and presidential aspirant Manny Pacquiao is set to launch its Invitational tourney on Dec. 11 to 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay under a stringent closed-circuit format, with the players and officials, all of whom must be fully vaccinated, restricted in movement from their homes to venue, and vice versa.
Aside from the Bicol Volcanoes, making up the stacked 22-team field are newcomer Negros Mascuvados, Datu Cup champion San Juan, Laguna, Caloocan, Sarangani, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Imus, Makati, General Santos, Bacolod, Marikina, Iloilo, Muntinlupa, Bacoor, Manila, Pasig, Valenzuela, Mindoro, Bulacan and Basilan.
Ayo, who also handles the Manila Chooks TM 3×3 squad, likes his team’s chances after getting the players he wanted.
“I got to be able to pick the players that we need and the players that we think will fit into the system,” Ayo said.
