The Ateneo Blue Eagles play for pride in a game that had no impact on their UAAP Season 87 journey.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles played inspired basketball, even though it was a no-bearing game, when they faced the UE Red Warriors in their second round encounter, 71-67, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday night.
Snapping a three-game losing streak, the Blue Eagles denied UE (6-7) an outright entry into the Final Four, despite not playing for anything in the standings as they were already out of playoff contention.
Ateneo staved off a win-hungry UE squad that clawed their way back from a deficit as big as 15 points with an 11-2 finishing run in the fourth quarter.
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After the game, Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin said that the team was adamant to play with everything that they have despite the circumstances, with the Blue Eagles missing the Final Four for the first time since UAAP Season 76.
“We talked before the game, the team, and I think there is more than just pride to play for — there’s the uniform that we wear, and trying to live up to the standards that are expected of us by our community, by our teammates, and by ourselves — maybe that part is pride,” said Baldwin.
“I was just very happy with the team today because they played with so much effort and resolve. And you know, when you haven’t been able to gel as well as we would like to as a team throughout the year, it really comes down to effort. And I think the guys, I think they spoke as a team and with a lot of people saying you know, it’s a lost season, or a failed [season], they don’t feel that way. They feel, for them, that every game is important.”
Plunged into an unexpected rebuilding phase with players turning pro and transferring out of the Blue Eagles nest, Baldwin’s program was tested mightily in Season 87, where tough patches came more and more often.
But even then, for his younger players especially, there was still a lot to play for — especially later on in the season where they are looking to send off their graduating seniors, Chris Koon and Sean Quitevis, with a fitting swan song.
“We didn’t want to disrespect our opponent by saying that this game doesn’t matter to us. It mattered a lot to us,” said Baldwin.
The four-time UAAP champion coach also underscored being able to do things well that they haven’t been able to for the rest of the season showed that the matchup, no-bearing or not, meant the same for his players.
“You know, you can’t really talk about beautiful execution, and a lot of things. But you know, we had a game plan, been trying to push the tempo and you know, we significantly won in categories that we haven’t been so strong at this year: which is second chance points and fast break points,” said Baldwin.
“I think that the ability to do that in this game showed that they want to play together, they want to play for what the coaches asked them to do,” he added.
Regardless of their competitiveness, Baldwin was left feeling for the Red Warriors, who now face the daunting task of having to beat last year’s runners-up UP Fighting Maroons to ensure an outright berth in the Final Four.
[ALSO READ: Tab Baldwin admits Ateneo ‘knocked down’ as UAAP Final Four streak comes to an end]
Understanding what it takes to lead a team to the top, Baldwin had nothing but respect for their opponents.
“Today they held on to win against a team that had a tremendous amount to play for. UE, and what a brave effort they put in without their center, without their foreign student,” said Baldwin, pertaining to Precious Momowei’s suspension.
“You know, we can’t do anything other than tip our caps to Jack [Santiago] and the Red Warriors because that was a hell of a fight they put up today and we’re just very fortunate that we ended up getting the win.” he added.
Now at 4-9, the Blue Eagles have one more chance to spoil another team’s Final Four push when they face the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their final game of the season on Saturday, November 23, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.