Wounded Eagles eye strong rebound
Lions seek repeat vs ‘inspired’ Knights
Grounded by a hungrier Adamson Soaring Falcons in their kick-off outing, defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles expressed confidence they would be able to get back and do what they are set out to do in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball wars.
“It was fairly obvious that Adamson was extremely well prepared, they played their hearts out and got the results we’re looking for. We didn’t,” admitted AdMU coach Tab Baldwin whose highly-fancied wards dropped a shocking 70-74 loss to Adamson right in their maiden appearance of the tournament.
Like warriors, the Ateneans won’t beat themselves up too much for the painful loss and instead make some course correction as they hit the court again tomorrow against University of the Philippines, another tough customer who showed its muscle in an 87-58 walloping of University of the East.
“Of course people think there’s asteroids falling outside and the world is ending. We don’t,” said Baldwin.
“I told the guys that we said we are everybody’s championship game. Now we know what that actually means, what that actually feels. Now we have to live up to our word that every one of these games is the only one that matters. If we can do that, I think we’ll be fine,” he added.
Regarded as virtually unbeatable, the Eagles were exposed as mere mortal by the Falcons, who banked on the herculean efforts of old reliables Jerrick Ahanmisi and Papi Sarr and new face Jerom Lastimosa to draw blood on AdMU five.
Baldwin said Adamson wanted it more, as evidenced by the way they crashed the boards in the second half, 36-29.
“Adamson was hungrier when it came to the boards in the second half. If you’re not the hungrier team, I don’t care how good you are, you open the door to your opponent, today (Sunday) we weren’t the hungrier team.” he said.
LikeAteneo,lastyear’srunnerup La Salle had a flat opening, losing 61-68, to Far Eastern U.
“I think it’s evident in the first game it’s young team versus a seasoned team,” said DLSU’s new coach Louie Gonzalez, who’s in charge of the Archers’ rebuilding process following the departure of key players Ben Mbala and Ricci Rivero and former mentor Aldin Ayo.
“Iyung heart naman nandyan. As long as nandyan yung heart, nandyan yung effort, we will compete. Ako I’m very optimistic we’re only going to get better,” he added.
The Archers eye redemption in their next assignment against Adamson on Saturday.
San Beda tries to match lone tormentor Lyceum of the Phl U’s number of victories as it takes on a surging Letran side today while College of St. Benilde seeks to grab solo third against lowly San Sebastian in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan today.
The Lions needed an extra period to thwart the Muralla-based squad, 80-76, in their first round face-off last Aug. 10 with the former expecting a tougher challenge from the Knights who have been rallying behind an ailing teammate.
“We have dedicated the rest of the season to Jerrick (Balanza), who is our inspiration,” said Letran coach Jeff Napa of his former starter, out of the season after undergoing a surgery to remove a tumor.
But the Lions are also keen on keeping the idle Pirates in sight as they go for their 11th victory against a loss behind Robert Bolick, Donald Tankoua and AC Soberan, who helped anchor the team’s scrambling win the first time out.
“We expect our game against them to be tougher so we really need to double our efforts to beat them again,” said San Beda U coach Boyet Fernandez. Gametime is at 2 p.m. The Lions are also expected to neutralize Bong Quinto, who has been carrying the load for the Knights with norms of 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists, along with big men Larry Muyang, Christian Fajarito and Jeo Ambohot.
The Knights trampled the Arellano University Chiefs, 99-82, last Thursday, keeping them in step with the Blazers at 7-3 for third.
But while Letran will need to double its effort to foil San Beda, St. Benilde is heavily favored to get past San Sebastian in their 4 p.m. match.
The Stags actually beat the Blazers in the first round but the league forfeited the win after SSC’s RK Ilagan was found to have played in other leagues. The school suspended the player for three games and the Stags fell to the cellar with the idle Jose Rizal U Bombers at 2-9.