QUEZON CITY--La Salle returned to UAAP play after 10 days of absence, but the team was welcomed back by a surprise beating from arch rival Ateneo on Saturday night, leading to its first loss of the season.
[Related Story: Ateneo hands La Salle first loss, bolsters twice-to-beat bid]
But for Coach Aldin Ayo, this is better than botching a finals game following an even longer break that could have been brought about by sweeping the regular season.
"I always think of the positives na kung ma-sweep namin ito tapos magkakaroon ng 21-day break for us, tapos mas crucial [kasi] championship, I'd rather choose this kind of situation that we are in," Ayo told a group of sportswriters after the game.
On the other hand, Ayo took responsibility of the loss.
"If there's someone to blame, ako yun. Kasi yung mga bata, they're doing their best. Kulang lang yung ginawa namin, kaya ganun ang naging sitwasyon," he continued.
Evaluating the defeat, Ayo simply said, "There's always a first time. Ang masama lang eh galing pa sa Ateneo."
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno