Baldwin, Ayo have nothing but respect for each other after thriller game

Ateneo Eagles Coach Tab Baldwin, UAAP PHOTO

After the Ateneo Blue Eagles' 71-70 win over the UST Growling Tigers, their head coaches, Tab Baldwin for Ateneo and Aldin Ayo for UST, seemed to have an extended conversation when they met at center court to congratulate each other after the exciting game.

UST Growling Tigers Coach Aldrin Ayo. UAAP PHOTO

While Baldwin said they had a hard time in getting the win, the former national team coach praised his UST counterpart, even calling Ayo "a blessing in Philippine basketball."

"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. It was a great game and those last few minutes were pretty tough, pretty tense," Baldwin said.

"Aldin always has a couple of tactical things up his sleeve you know, but we prepared really well," he added.

Baldwin and Ayo have met several times in the UAAP, aside from the regular elimination games. Ayo, who handled La Salle back in 2016, had the upper hand when their two teams met in the Season 79 Finals, while Baldwin got his own when they faced in the 2017 Finals rematch.

"Sabi sa'kin, 'I told you it's going to be fun.' And I told him, 'Well, good game coach,'" Ayo shared when asked about what he and Baldwin talked about during their post-game exchange.

Ayo added he has nothing but respect to Baldwin, saying the multi-titled coach raised the bar of competition in the UAAP.

"Nothing but respect to Coach Tab. He made the UAAP better. He raised the level of competition. He made better players. Not only his players but also other players. He made other coaches better," Ayo said.

"On my part, I love the challenge and ako, naggo-grow din ako because of him. Siguro sila din, ganun din. That's the good thing about competition. You handle it well, take it well, everybody benefits from it," the UST tactician added. — BAP, GMA News