University of Santo Tomas is taking it one step at a time in its bid to regain the UAAP glory.
They survived the first level on Wednesday by besting Far Eastern University, 81-71, to earn the right to face twice-to-beat University of the Philippines in the next level of the stepladder semis.
If they beat the Kobe Paras-led Maroons, they can forge another title clash with the three-peat seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles.
But UST coach Aldin Ayo isn’t yet thinking about it.
“Isa lang muna ang iisipin namin,” said Ayo. “Hindi namin dapat isipin yun pangalawa, yung susunod. Kung ano ang nasa harapan namin, yun muna ang dapat naming isipin.”
Ayo said that mentality worked as they repelled the fiery comeback of the Tamaraws.
“Yung ginawa namin for the last 10 days, we kept our focus on FEU. Kaya siguro naka-adjust kami sa mga mistakes namin (kanina). Right now, we don’t have any idea kung anong gagawin namin sa UP. But after this win, we’re going to start preparing kaagad,” he said.
Ayo is hopeful his boys will learn from the lessons when they almost blew a double-digit deficit.
“I’ve always been optimistic sa approach ko sa mga players. You really have to be objective at walang sisihan. Even kaming mga coaches, may mga mali rin kami, but we stayed positive and kept on playing, kept on adjusting,” he said.
Ayo also expressed confidence that newly-crowned Most Valuable Player Soulemane Chabi Yo will give them another huge lift in beating the Maroons for the third straight time this season.
“He’s (Chabi Yo) not going to slow down. When he said he wants the championship more, he really means it,” he said.
CHABI YO WANTS TEAMTITLE
MORE THAN THE MVP PLUM
Chabi Yo is determined to fulfill his promise, saying that he wanted the championship more than the individual award.
“For me, (winning the MVP) is good, but what’s more important is the championship. Next game, we’ll do better,” the Benin-native forward said.
Though they have beaten the Maroons twice, Ayo said they are treating their game on Sunday like there’s no more tomorrow.
“They (Maroons) are a different team right now, and yung mga nangyari sa eliminations, it won’t matter anymore because this is the Final Four. Lahat gagawin dito, so lahat gagawin din namin,” he said.
The knockout match, if necessary, will be on Nov. 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
