I MUST say that I was impressed with the way the Ateneo Blue Eagles took down reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champions, Letran, 79-61, last Saturday to take the Philippine Collegiate Champions League NCAA-University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Challenge trophy.
From a 35-all tie in the first half, Ateneo dropped a 30-4 bomb in the third quarter to effectively seize control, 65-39.
It was an unlikely unit that Blue Eagles Head Coach Tab Baldwin sent in—Troy Mallillin, Tyler Tio, Jason Credo, Gian Mamuyac and Gio Chiu, that helped get Ateneo the lead. Then William Navarro, Matthew Daves, and SJ Belangel returned and the three-time UAAP champions continued to roll.
While Letran was missing Larry Muyang and Ato Ular who both had Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League matches after that game, the Blue Eagles fielded several newcomers, including Dwight and Eli Ramos, Edward Maagdenberg and Inand Fornilos.
The halftime adjustments surely worked as the Blue Eagles played better defense as they denied the Knights lane incursions, they challenged the outside shots, and took care of the rebounds. Even better, they began to attack the basket of which they didn’t last for long stretches of the first half. Letran then began to miss from the field. It was essentially, lights out.
By the final whistle, Ateneo bagged its ninth consecutive trophy in all local competitions they have played—UAAP Season 80, City Hoops, Breakdown Basketball Filoil, UAAP Season 81, PCCL, D-League, UAAP Season 82 and UAAP-NCAA Challenge.
That is very impressive by any stretch. I do not know of anyone collegiate squad that has won in such dominant fashion without missing a beat.
Here are our thoughts about some of the Ateneo players:
I like how Daves and Mallillin are moving on the court. They move with a sense of purpose and with confidence. No tentativeness. Very smooth.
Credo is also moving that ball better and showing what he can do on both ends of the court. He can play perimeter defense, interior defense and, well, can extend the defense if his shot is on. This guy is another creative player who will makes things happen. That is a luxury when you can add Belangel, Mamuyac, and Tio to the mix.
Dwight Ramos has the makings of a really good player. He can shoot, but still doesn’t have the confidence to go inside and take it strong. His dribbling needs work, but watching him…you can see the potential and there’s a lot. Wait until he gets his confidence going.
Speaking of moving around better. I wonder why people say that Chiu is the second coming of Isaac Go. Not yet. I don’t think he will extend defenses with his outside shooting. But he is moving better inside the paint. He still gets frustrated with the shenanigans of opposing players, but he will get better.
I like how Fornilos came in and immediately hit his first shot, a trey with the shot clock winding down. He still isn’t used to what the Blue Eagles are doing. But he will get there.
Maagdenberg and Ramos have shown some flashes, but you know they are young. Can’t wait to see what they can really do.
Ateneo has looked good in this PCCL tournament (including its pocket NCAA-UAAP Challenge). And to think, they aren’t running any plays yet, and Jolo Mendoza and Raffy Verano will not yet suit up until the summer.
1 comment
Thats what happens when you have money to scout ( or should i say buy) players and their parents, you want and maintain a high profile excellent coach. I mean let us be realistic- the collegiate leagues nowadays are no different from the pro and semi-pro leagues. Players transfer from one school to another because of better offers materially. They use excuses like better opportunities and acsds but we all know the bottomline. The effect- collegiate players in their very young careers play for pay, no more school loyalty.