TAB Baldwin isn’t lacking confidence in Ateneo’s last-ditch push for a Final Four berth.
Despite absorbing their seventh loss of UAAP Season 88, that being a 75-71 setback to the University of the Philippines, the Blue Eagles aren’t out of the fight just yet.
At 5-7, Ateneo sits at the tail end of a five-way scramble for the last two semifinal spots.
But with two games left against fellow contenders Adamson (6-7) and La Salle (6-6), the Blue Eagles can still force their way into at least a playoff for fourth if they sweep their remaining assignments.
It’s not a straightforward win-and-in scenario, with certain results from other teams also needing to fall into place, but Baldwin remains clear about what the blue-and-white must control.
“As far as playoff aspirations go, it's still alive. We just have to win games. There are two left, and I think it's pretty important to win both of them,” Baldwin said.
“While the playoff scenario isn't entirely in our hands, the likelihood is that we will still have a good shot, a very, very good shot if we can win the next two games. So we have everything to play for.”
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Baldwin admitted the mood in the locker room was somber, but he hasn’t seen any dip in resolve, as Ateneo tries to avoid missing the Final Four for the second straight year — something that hasn’t happened since Seasons 56 to 61 (1993 to 1998), when the Blue Eagles missed six straight semifinals.
“The mood in the locker room was disappointed that we lost, but still, the fighting spirit is there because there’s a lot to fight for,” he added.
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