Ateneo Blue Eaglets coach Reggie Varilla admitted that they have been outworked by the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups in Game 1 of the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines Junior Basketball Tournament.
Varilla however said the team has learned from their loss and vowed to get the last two wins of the season.
The Bullpups, according to Varilla, did a great job with their rebounding and second chance baskets.
Their efforts in the shaded lanes allowed the Bullpups to pull off a 70-58 win over the Blue Eaglets and move a win closer to their seventh title.
“You can see this at the number of times they got the rebound, and the 50-50 balls. We played good defense. But we were not able to close it out with our defensive rebounds,” said Varilla.
He noted how Bulldogs big men Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao took charge with Tamayo finishing with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double while Tamayo tallied 14 points and 13 rebounds.
“They hit some big shots, and suddenly we were down by nine,” added Varilla.
Their team effort down the stretch, forced 7-foot-1 Blue Eaglet Kai Sotto to five turnovers and frustrated Forthsky Padrigao, who only had four points, for 2-of-12 shooting accuracy and eight errors.
Geo Chiu supported Sotto with double-double effort of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
On the other hand, Padrigao had eight assists, six boards, and three steals. Peter Atencio
