There were many players who stepped up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles during their game with the La Salle Green Archers last Sunday.
With Mike Nieto joining his brother Matt and Gian Mamuyac in taking up the slack from a struggling Thirdy Ravena, the Blue Eagles had little trouble cruising to an 81-69 demolition of the Green Archers in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Thirdy didn’t have a very good game today and that happens sometimes. Mike stepped up, pretty spectacular game. So again, credit to Mike but also Mike speaking about this cultural aspect of our team is something that we hope we can take pride in,” said Baldwin after the Blue Eagles posted their second straight win.
The Blue Eagles are in the lead with the University of Santo Tomas Tigers.
“It was tough every step of the way. I think that the break we had at the end of the second quarter was a surprise to us and it was a surprise for them, and in the end it was the cushion I think that we depended on in the second half,” added Baldwin.
Despite their win against La Salle, Baldwin said a lot of work still needs to be done on the team in terms of offensive cohesion.
“We shot the ball very poorly, our offensive cohesion isn’t anything like it needs to be. I’m pretty disappointed in that, I think that’s a reflection of me as much as anything else and it’s got to be fixed,” said Baldwin.
