Down 0-1 against UP in the best of three series for the UAAP Men’s Basketball championship, Ateneo looked for inspiration. And inspiration they found in the form of past UAAP champs who wore the blue and white.
After guys like Isaac Go, Gian Mamuyac, Tyler Tio, the Nieto twins and other members of ADMU’s legendary 16-0 squad visited the current team’s practice, it was noticeable how Ateneo came out ready to fight with fire in their attempt to force a decider.
Kai Ballungay and Ange Kouame came out and had bounce back games. Their team defense was relentless. Everyone was in sync. Even role players like Sean Quitevis made a difference. The Blue Eagles were just a different animal in Game 2. It was like LeBron James back in the day hitting the switch button come playoff time. Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin gave credit to his former players for reaching out.
“I think that the impact was extraordinary. Each one of them spoke. And you know, I said to the team the next day that these guys aren’t speakers. There were several captains there, of course mike Nieto it’s hard to shut him up, but the rest of them, they were all there they all spoke,” the 3-time UAAP champion tactician said.
The momentum had undeniably shifted in Ateneo’s favor. As the UP Fighting Maroons stand between them and a fourth UAAP crown in five seasons, the Blue Eagles seem to have gotten the reassurance they needed.
“The theme was consistent… it was, there’s a legacy. The legacy was built on brotherhood. It was built on we few, for he today who will share his blood for me is my brother,” Baldwin continued.
Game 3 of the UAAP men’s Basketball Finals takes place at the Araneta Coliseum on December 19. You can catch the action on One Sports and the UAAP Varsity Channel on Cignal TV.