FOR coach Tab Baldwin, the Ateneo Blue Eagles played a classic game with the La Salle Green Archers last Saturday.
They had a terrible start, allowing La Salle to take the lead following an 18-2 run they made in the first period.
“La Salle got off to a great start. A lot of composure. They did things the way they wanted. We didn’t,” said Baldwin after the La Salle Green Archers posted a 67-65 win over the Blue Eagles in Game 1 of the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In that game, the Blue Eagles made a huge effort to contain big man Ben Mbala under the paint.
But, they could not.
The 6’7” Mbala went on to dominate the paint with 20 points and 15 rebounds.
The Eagles tried to make things difficult in the final moments of the fourth period. But Aljun Melecio and Jeron Teng delivered the big plays in the last four minutes, bringing La Salle closer to their ninth men’s title since 2013.
“We were very rattled I think, in the beginning. Then, we settled down and played good basketball in the next three quarters. We came back and made a fight out of it,” added Baldwin.
Norman Aaron Black powered the Blue Eagles with 12 points and 8 rebounds, while John Wong contributed eight.
Baldwin felt that they had a chance to overtake La Salle after Teng’s basket in the last 39.4 seconds was nullified due to a 24-second violation.
This was when Ateneo moved ahead, 65-64, following Nieto’s drive off Aljun Melecio in the final 34.6 seconds.
At this point, Teng took charge for La Salle as hit the layup in the last 15.1 seconds, putting La Salle ahead, 66-65.
Ateneo had a golden chance to win it, but Archer Kib Montalbo swiped the ball away from a driving Thirdy Ravena – which Baldwin said was foul. Montalbo, who only had four points, put La Salle out of harm’s way with 3.3 ticks left with his two charities off Nieto’s foul for the final count.
“I’m not very happy with the opportunity that Thirdy had. I think it was pretty clear that he was fouled. Thousands and thousands of people, millions around the country expect players to make big plays, while I expect referees to make correct calls, too,” said Baldwin.