AFTER a promising 4–0 start to UAAP Season 88, Ateneo looked like a revamped team ready to rise from last year's doldrums.
That hot start got snuffed out right after, however, as the Blue Eagles fell into a five-game slump.
Now, though technically still alive and kicking, the blue-and-white is in must-win mode if they are to avoid back-to-back playoff misses under Tab Baldwin.
The first order of business, in the collegiate champion coach's eyes, is to do better with their shooting efficiency, especially after going a horrendous 28-percent from the field in their last loss to University of Santo Tomas.
“When you get 25 more shots than your opponent, you should win the game,” Baldwin pointed out. “We didn’t because we didn’t hit shots. We need to shoot the ball better than we’re shooting it.”
The Growling Tigers didn't do a whole lot better at 20-for-60 for 33-percent, but Ateneo actually put up 85 attempts from the field and only made good on 24 of them.
That means that they had 61 misses - yes, an eye-popping 61 - even as they forced UST into 18 turnovers, while also doing an admirable job against a Collins Akowe-led frontline for a slight advantage in terms of offensive rebounds, 19-15.
Grow to go for Ateneo
It's not all about shooting, though.
Baldwin also emphasized that maturity and decision-making will determine how far they can still go from here.
While the Blue Eagles have a promising young core, many of them are experiencing the intensity of the UAAP for the first time - including one-and-done studs Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, and Jaden Lazo.
As he put it, “There’s maturity and there’s experience. We’ve got some mature players, but they don’t have a lot of experience. They’re really learning what the UAAP is all about.”
Nigerian big Divine Adili is also a rookie, while lead guard Jared Bahay is just in his second season, as well.
Ateneo has no time to waste in growing up and toughening up for this ultracompetitive playoff race. At 5–7, they are about to enter the toughest part of their schedule - a three-game gauntlet that leaves no room for error.
If they still want to the Final Four, they must overcome archrival La Salle, ever-dangerous Adamson, and defending champion University of the Philippines.
The odds seem to be stacked against them. The schedule is unforgiving. But if the Blue Eagles find their shots and maturity in time, they may very have one last flight left in them.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
