MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle University head coach Aldin Ayo chose to keep silent following his ejection in the first half of their UAAP Season 79 game against University of the East (UE) on Wednesday.

Ayo, in his first season as head coach of La Salle, was thrown out with 1:12 to go in the first half after charging into the court and offering a pair of eye glasses – owned by assistant coach Siot Tanquingcen – to the referee. The coach was displeased after a perceived non-call on Wilson Bartolome, who had gotten away with contact on Thomas Torres.

"No comment," said Ayo after his team came away with a 84-78 win to stay undefeated in the tournament. "I have nothing good to say, so I won't say anything at all."

Asked about the game itself, Ayo said: "Halos ganoon din. Lahat ng sasabihin ko, konektado din, so pass muna."

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Ayo similarly held back from commenting on their upcoming game against Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday, which he might miss due to suspension.

"'Yung mangyayari sa Sunday, konektado din dito eh. Pass muna ako. I might get into trouble," he said.

An ejection from a game automatically a one-game suspension in the UAAP, although La Salle can file an appeal.

Rivero: He did that for us

The ejection of their coach, however, only served to fire up the De La Salle Green Archers, said reserve forward Prince Rivero.

The La Salle players and coaching staff were up in arms after a perceived non-call on UE's Bartolome, who had piggybacked on Torres right in front of their bench.

Despite this, La Salle went into the break leading 44-30, then held on for an 84-78 win to climb to 6-0 in the tournament

"During the crisis lang ng game, we stuck together as a team, and we stuck to the system," said Rivero after the contest. "We followed the instructions from the coaches, then with God's blessing, naka-swerte din."

Rivero acknowledged that Ayo's ejection was tough on the team, but he stressed that his coach remained as present as ever.

"Nawala man si Coach Aldin physically, he's there with us all throughout the game. He's still giving instructions," Rivero said. "He's still in our hearts. His energy is still there with us."

"Some of the instructions are still coming from him," he revealed. "Nakikita pa rin niya 'yung game. He's still watching the game, he's still giving instructions kung paano 'yung gagawin namin inside the court. Kasi iba 'yung nakikita mo sa labas, iba 'yung nakikita ng nasa loob."

"So malaking tulong din sa amin si Coach Aldin. Kahit nawala s'ya, andoon pa rin siya sa amin, and we stuck together lang as a team."

Indeed, the incident only served to inspire them, he said.

"Hindi naman kami mabu-boost kung hinid rin doon sa ginawa niya," said Rivero. "It's like, he did that for us. Hindi naman para sa kanya."

"He's protecting us from the circumstances and what's happening inside the court," he added.

Moreover, even with Ayo forced to return to the locker room, the system that he installed remains ingrained in his players.

"It's in the system," said Rivero. "During crisis, or times like this, we stick together. We stay together even more, we glue together even more."

Thus, Rivero is not worried about the prospect of playing against archrivals Ateneo on Sunday without their head coach.

"It doesn't change anything," he said. "Wala man siya physically, he's still gonna be with us during the preparation. It's the process that counts. So we're gonna stick to our system, then prepare for the Ateneo game regardless of what happened."

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