He was also quick to say his team needs to turn the corner.
Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin didn’t hide his joy after a thrilling 99-89 overtime win over the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.
The Blue Eagles almost saw the victory slip away after allowing the Fighting Maroons to stage a fiery comeback in the fourth quarter and sent the much-anticipated game into an extension. But Ateneo did enough in OT to hand UP its first loss of the season.
Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin didn’t hide his joy after a thrilling 99-89 overtime win over UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.
“It was a character game for us,” Baldwin said after the game at the Mall of Asia Arena. “UP is a great team and they played great. I think that they did UP stuff the entire game.”
The Blue Eagles broke free in the extra period behind big man Mason Amos, who finished with 19 points, including back-to-back clutch baskets in OT, and 10 rebounds.
“We know they're (UP) gonna make a comeback because they're a good team so we just stay composed and stick to what we can control,” said the Ateneo rookie.
Baldwin is making sure that their big victory will only keep the defending champions soaring as the tournament progresses into the second round.
“This game really means nothing if we don’t back it up,” he said. “If we can’t do more of that, this could just be a moment instead of turning a corner. We need to turn the corner.”
Ateneo improved to 4-3 for a share of the third place with rival De La Salle Green Archers at the end of the opening round. UP dropped to 6-1.