AS the losses piled up, so did the noise.
After opening UAAP Season 88 with six straight defeats - its worst start in the Final Four era - Ateneo found itself under a microscope, especially fourth-year head coach Sergio Veloso.
But while those outside Katipunan may have questions and clarifications about the direction of the program, Veloso never allowed doubt and disbelief to creep inside his locker room.
“For me, it’s so simple. I respect everyone, but the most important for me first is the players, our team. I support the players and the team all the time,” the tactician said after the Blue Eagles finally barged into the win column with a straight-sets win over University of the East.
READ: Ateneo blanks UE to barge into win column
“If outside, you have a bad word or any kind of bad situation, I don't care about it,” he added.
The Brazilian mentor admitted he understands where the frustration from supporters is coming from. After all, winning is the expectation for the blue-and-white - and he is yet to bring them back to the Final Four.
But Veloso believes the narrative surrounding Ateneo's slow start in this go-round often misses the bigger picture.
As he put it, “They don’t know what happened inside.”
Ateneo's One Big Flight
From their vantage point, the struggles were not as bleak as the standings suggested.
The Blue Eagles had remained competitive in several matches, repeatedly pushing opponents deep into sets before just falling short in crucial moments.
Don't forget that they were the first team to take a set from still-undefeated standard-setter La Salle.
Part of the growing pains, Veloso noted, stems from the makeup of the roster itself.
This season, Ateneo is relying heavily on a young core still adjusting to the demands of the collegiate level, where many opponents field older and more experienced players.
“When you think about this team, it’s so young. You have sophomores and freshmen and the other side has national team players,” he uttered.
Even though the defeats, though, one thing continued to stand out for the mentor - the fight for his players never lost.
“I’m so happy because they fight all the time. No matter if the opponent wins or if our team wins, we need to fight for the victory,” he said.
And now he and his wards have finally broken through, Veloso hopes the result serves as a turning point rather than just a momentary relief.
“Our second round, we can push more and have a big fight. You need to fight, you need to give 100-percent, 110-percent,” he expressed.
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.
