Despite Ateneo’s three-game skid after a 4-0 start, coach Tab Baldwin remains composed as the Blue Eagles head to the second round of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
Tab Baldwin is not pushing the panic button just yet.
Even with Ateneo reeling from three consecutive losses after a 4-0 start, the four-time UAAP champion coach remains composed — confident that brighter days are ahead for the Blue Eagles as they enter the second round of the men’s basketball tournament.
“I feel good about the quality for our team and the ability to compete against top-level teams. There’s better to come,” Baldwin said in the aftermath of their 71-66 overtime loss to the NU Bulldogs.
The road, however, hasn’t been easy.
For the second straight outing, Ateneo found itself in another overtime battle. And for the second time in a row fell short.
The Blue Eagles clawed back from an 18-point deficit, with Shawn Tuano drilling a clutch three-pointer to send the game into an extra period.
But despite their resilience, the Katipunan-based squad couldn’t complete the comeback against a determined NU squad.
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“It’s tough to lose two overtime games in a row. We were undermanned today, but the time fought back despite us having a poor start,” the 67-year-old tactictian added.
Compounding Ateneo’s woes was the absence of two key starters — Jared Bahay and Divine Adili — both sidelined due to injuries.
Jared Bahay sits out for Ateneo in their opening-round clash against NU due to manage his shoulder injury. | Photo: The UAAP
Still, others rose to the challenge as Jaden Lazo finished with 17 points, Tuano added 15, and Dom Escobar turned in a stellar all-around performance of 14 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals.
“[I'm] very disappointed that we did not pull out the win. But at least today we did not run out of gas. I saw some character out there,” Baldwin said.
It’s been a rough stretch for Ateneo — starting with a triple-overtime heartbreaker against UST in Katipunan, followed by an 83-69 drubbing at the hands of defending champion UP.
Now at 4-3 and sitting in solo fourth, the Blue Eagles are facing their toughest test yet.
But if Baldwin’s steady hand and belief in his team are any indication, Ateneo’s story this season is far from over.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues