THE Ateneo Blue Eagles need to improve on many aspects of their game in the second round of the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
Tab Baldwin, one of the coaches of the Blue Eagles, said this as the Blue Eagles prepare to meet the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 4 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Baldwin said the Blue Eagles need to handle the ball better if the Blue Eagles are to move up further in the team standings and remain in contention for the Final Four.
“It’s the ball handling. Handling the ball better and being able to get retention is important. You have several teams playing all out. To be able to flourish and punish a team that’s doing that is important,” said Baldwin after the Blue Eagles bowed to the La Salle Green Archers, 81-97, last Sunday.
He believes that the Blue Eagles are way off from the ability to punish teams that are playing with so much intensity in their game.
The Blue Eagles are currently tied from third to fifth with their 4-3 win-loss record.
Earlier, the University of Santo Tomas (2-5) meets University of the East at 2 p.m.
Offensively, the Blue Eagles ranks at no. 2 behind the La Salle Green Archers with their average of 88.4 points and 50.9 rebounds.
Defensively, they are no. 4 behind the defending champion Far Easter University Tamaraws, with averages of 71.7 points and 43.3 rebounds.
For now, its Thirdy Ravena who is carrying much of the scoring and rebounding responsibility for the Blue Eagles with his norms of 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
The only other player doing well in the first round is Anton Asistio, with his average of 10.7 points.
The Fighting Maroons, who have a 1-6 slate at the bottom of the standings, are counting on Paul Desiderio and Jet Manuel, who can dish out 17.6 points and 15.7 points per game.
Games Today (MOA Arena)
2 p.m. UST vs UE
4 p.m. Ateneo vs UP