Looking at Ateneo’s 2nd round win vs UST

Looking at Ateneo’s 2^nd round win vs UST

by rick olivares

The Ateneo Blue Eagles ended their elimination round with a 102-62 demolition of UST to sweep the second round and to formally finish with a 12-2 record; tops in the UAAP.

Here are my thoughts about this huge win.

This was as an efficient win as there is any

Six turnovers for Ateneo all match long? Wow. Eight players shot 50% or higher. A 21-6 disparity in assists.

48-32 advantage in inside points. 35-21 in perimeter points. 30-7 advantage in turnover points. UST was out of it in the first period alone.

Blowing out UST.

They bettered their 85-53 first round win over UST this time by a 40-point margin of victory. Last game or not and whether the Ateneo coaching staff will admit it or not, they aren’t going to go soft on any Aldin Ayo team. The Growling Tigers losing CJ Cansino has everyone’s sympathy but on the court… no. Injuries are all part of the game and no one wants to enter the Final Four on a losing note. Just ask Letran.

While the coaching staff led by Sandy Arespacochaga (Tab Baldwin wasn’t around) gave meaningful playing time to all the players, they still did not let up on the pressure.

Surely, they remember the last two years of collisions with Ayo’s La Salle teams and the acrimony that came away from them.

It was the perfect game to insert Matt Nieto back into the starting line-up.

It was great to see Matt Nieto back to his starting role where he presided over the first quarter blitz that for all intents and purposes ended the game right there.

Matt tallied 5 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds in close to 16 minutes of play. Not bad.

But I have to admit that I noted that Tyler Tio didn’t play too well coming off the bench. He didn’t score and chalked up only one rebound and one assist.

That William Navarro incident.

Yep, I caught that moment. At the 2:56 mark of the third period and the score 78-37, William Navarro stole the ball from UST’s Joshua Marcos. On a 2-1 break, he elected to take the shot rather than pass the ball to Thirdy Ravena who was ahead by several steps. Although Navarro scored on an and-one and completed the three-point play for an 81-37 lead, Ravena chewed him out. “Pasa mo yung bola,” I saw him say. If I am not mistaken, another teammate also called Navarro out. And Arespacochaga pulled out Navarro to point out his “mistake.”

The system comes first and not the individual.

Navarro was sent back in a few seconds later.

I like that because he was admonished and no doubt, he will get it. And so there is no need to punish him further.

It was like several games ago where SJ Belangel did not control the match and was instead looking for his shot. He got yanked.

The system that Baldwin installed is designed for everyone to get a shot provided they make the proper reads and pass. I like that fact that Baldwin talks about selflessness and serving the greater good. And that is what it is all about.

On the other hand, I like that Navarro played a second consecutive strong game. Will finished with 17 points on 7-7 shooting including 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.

Not bad. And Matthews Daves played well once more.

Rounding out into vicious form.

Ateneo has pounded its foes in this second round. They defeated UP (17 points), FEU (20 points), UE (20), NU (15), Adamson (14), La Salle (9), and now, UST (40).

They have won by an average of 20.3 points. The highest thus far in league history.

Can we say that we are seeing the form that won them the City Hoops, Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, and the Breakdown Basketball Invitationals along with their stellar William Jones Cup showing? No doubt.

But the mission isn’t done. They need three more wins to validate everything.