Ateneo just made history by completing a historic and unheard-of 16-0 sweep of the season, including back-to-back wins against University of Santo Tomas in the finals to seal another grand-slam – its second in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
But coach Tab Baldwin and his mighty Blue Eagles don’t want us to shower them with praise. Instead, they want us to take our hats off to the fallen Growling Tigers.
“The only other thing that I really have to say is just… it’s very difficult in defeat. I’ve been there plenty of times in my life. The players and coaching staff of UST they probably don’t want (this). They (Tigers) don’t wanna hear a lot right now. They’re hurting. But I want it on the record of saying that the fight that they showed in this finals, I think it really flattered us. I think what they gave out their on the court, what they had to give, really flatters us,” said Baldwin.
“I appreciate all of them. I respect them also, much they know that, I’ve told them that. We certainly know what kind of team they’ll be next year. They’re gonna be extremely difficult, extremely strong basketball team. Congratulations to them and I wish them well in the future,” he added.
Indeed, the Tigers’ path to the championship was a rocky one, but they survived them all.
To reach the finals, the fourth-seeded Growling Tigers had a tough outing after the elimination.
“They went through three do-or-die games. First, they hurdled the third seeded Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 81-71, in the first stepladder semifinals.
Then, the Growling Tigers beat the twice-to-beat University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, with scored of 89-69, and 88-65, to arrange a title showdown with the Blue Eagles.
“First of all, we would like to congratulate UST din. They had three do-or-die games, but they succeeded. It’s really hard to defend them. Kitang kita kanina. It was a close game. Congrats to coach Aldin. Siguro sa panalo namin kanina, we just wanted to win. We promised that we’ll do whatever it takes to win in Game 2 kasi mahirap manalo sa Game 3? Do-or-die pa. Sabi nga ni coach Tab magsisimula sa aming limang seniors,” said Ateneo’s Mike Nieto, whose third championship meant a lot to their family and their father Joseph.
The Nieto family celebrated their “fourth” championship as elder Joseph “Jet” Nieto was part of the 1987 squad that gave the Blue Eagles their first cage crown.
The Blue Eagles completed a perfect season by beating the Tigers, 86-79, on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
This allowed the Blue Eagles to complete a historic16-0 sweep of the 82nd UAAP season.
The last time an immaculate season sweep was achieved was in 1993, when an Aric del Rosario-coached University of Santo Tomas completed a 14-game title romp in UAAP Season 56, with the unbeaten team in the elimination round being crowned champion outright.
“Sobrang sarap mag three-peat lalo na pag galing pa sa grade school, sa high school, and you promise your teammates, your family, that you will do everything that you can to win the championship. Ang sabi ko lang naman sa kanila hindi tayo papatalo. Kahit gano kahirap, kahit anong challenge na dumarating samin. Hinding hindi kami magpapatalo. We’ll just play the Ateneo way,” said Matt.