Ateneo rematch a test for La Salle
La Salle active coaching consultant Jermaine Byrd is looking forward to find out how the rejuvenated Green Archers measure up to unbeaten Ateneo when the rival schools face off in the second round of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament in the MOA Arena at high noon today.
“Ateneo’s the yardstick,” said Byrd. “I’m excited for our team, school and fans to get this chance. Coach Tab (Baldwin) is a great coach and when Ateneo beat us in the first round, I told him so after the game. I’m amazed at how he’s able to get even the last guy on the bench to perform without missing a beat. I’ve learned a lot since that loss and so has our team. I think we’re now better prepared to compete not just against Ateneo but every other team.”
One thing Byrd has learned in his UAAP baptism of fire is no lead is safe. “You play hard for 40 minutes until the clock reads 0:0,” he said. “We lost two games by one to UP and UE and they were painful. I’ve learned to trust my gut, to be confident in the work the players put in at practice and whatever is the result, I’m good with that. I’ve learned not to second guess myself and not to overthink. I’m still adjusting to the physicality of the game and atmosphere but it’s a wonderful feeling to coach in a league where there is so much support for the school, so much pride in wearing the school colors.”
When Byrd was recruited by La Salle head of basketball operations Danny Seigle to coach the Archers this season, he immersed himself in studying past UAAP games on YouTube before flying over from his home in Texas. “I expected the high quality of competition and high level of coaching,” he said. “It’s my first opportunity to lead a team and I’m grateful for the experience. It’s a huge challenge. What sets the UAAP apart from other leagues is the care everyone shows for the school. I get messages from students, alumni and fans all the time and they just want to see our team do well. If I get negative feedback, I know it’s because the fans want us to succeed.”
Byrd said after La Salle finished the first round with a 3-4 record, former Archer Jeron Teng visited the dorm to retell the story of Season 76. “Jeron told me we had the same record at the end of the first round and ended up winning the championship,” he said. “I told the guys don’t panic when we fell to 2-4. Luckily, there was no time to feel sorry for ourselves because games kept on coming up. We had to continue to fight, to get better and I think we’ve improved.”
La Salle has now won three of its last four games, including the last two. In the league’s statistical standings, the Archers are No. 1 in rebounds, assists, three point field goal percentage, starter points and fastbreak points but last in free throw percentage. “We make our free throws at practice but for some reason, we don’t make them during games,” Byrd said. “Now, we’re simulating game noise conditions at practice so we get used to the distractions. When we practice free throws, we sound the buzzer, we blow a whistle loud and hard. Maybe, that will sharpen our focus.”
Byrd said he meant no offense when NU coach Jamike Jarin reacted to a timeout with La Salle ahead by over 20 points, about a minute left in a recent game against the Bulldogs. “Balty (Justine Baltazar) was cramping and asked to be subbed so I called a timeout,” he said. “We brought Balty back to the bench and I sent in some guys who hadn’t played. I apologized to coach Jamike and explained myself. I would never disrespect my colleagues in any way.”