Coach Ateneo Tab Baldwin. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin believes their Game 1 defeat was a “lucky one” as the Blue Eagles have been able to make the big games this time around to force an all-around winner. both for the title against never say-die University of the Philippines.
The Blue Eagles refuse to endure another crisis as they prevent the late return of the Fighting Maroons to win Game 2, 69-66, during the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Final on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“In a way, I think the loss in game 1 was a blessing. And that’s a blessing because, you know, we all fail in life. It happens to everyone,” Baldwin said after Ateneo recovering from a loss of 81-74 in Game One last Sunday. “We see it as an opportunity to grow. We see it as a situation where we have to admit that we are not good enough.”
“The two games are very similar, but the difference in game (two) is that we did some big plays at the end and game one, they played big at the end,” he added.
The Kiwi-American coach, who is looking for Ateneo’s fourth straight UAAP championship, saw Goldwin Monteverde’s UP appearance with the 2017 La Salle team, led by Ben Mbala and the former Bow. Green player Maroon Ricci Rivero under coach Aldin Ayo.
“Definitely the physical toughness is very similar to La Salle’s stamina like the way they play defensively. But the UP team is really a team with great resilience. And this is the big key that I think and win the championship,” Baldwin said.
“Statistically, we are also a very, very good rebounding team this year. We’ve got our full hands rather than our full hands with UP. I think they are a better recovery team than La Salle. La Salle probably shot a little better with (Aljun) Melecio and (Andrei) Caracut and these are rare, very good perimeter players. ”
Baldwin and the Blue Eagles, who were preceded by Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go and Matt and Mike Nieto, won their first championship against La Salle in Season 80 five years ago.
GOLDEN FAN
UP coach Goldwin Monteverde talks to Ricci Rivero. UAAP PHOTO
In the same way he was impressed with Ayo, the former national team coach praised Monteverde’s high quality of coaching.
“Honestly, you know, I’m a huge fan of Aldin Ayo. And for sure, Goldwin is also making me a big fan of him, the way he coaches his team and the way they play in the big moments,” he said. “This is a high-quality coaching team led by Goldwin and nothing like the La Salle series.”
In their first Game 3 finals since 2017, Baldwin predicts an epic battle, and he hopes his Blue Eagles will give their all to sacrifice it all during the unprecedented bubble season. have this.
“It’s tough and if there’s a coin flip, this third game could be,” he said. “Going into game three, we had to put everything that happened in game two behind us. And we have a whole new challenge ahead. Whatever work we’ve done, whatever sacrifice we’ve made in the last few days, they’ve been significant. We should face the same situation. ”
Get the hottest sports news straight to your inbox
Continue reading
Registration INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download as early as 4am and share media articles society. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints or enquiries, Contact us.
