FOLLOWING the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ 83-70 win over the Mapua Cardinals in the quarterfinals of the Pinoyliga Cup, head coach Louie Alas told me, ‘Malayo pa. Marami pa kaming kailangan ayusin. [‘We still have a long way to go. There’s still a lot we need to fix.’
It wasn’t false modesty. It is what it is notwithstanding Ateneo being 3-0 in the tournament thus far.
Now this one against Mapua was a game of two halves.
The first half saw problems with execution and a penchant to commit a rash of turnovers in a hurry. Jared Bahay was having trouble quarterbacking in the first half (but he settled down in the second). Furthermore, I thought there was a lack of awareness in the full court press as Mapua pitched about eight Hail Mary passes in the first half. I don’t think I have ever seen that in the college game or even a National Football League match.
Bear in mind though that this team is cramming so all these struggles are normal.
What kept the Blue Eagles in the fight was their tough defense. As much as they struggled offensively, Mapua could not really pull away. As long as you get your stops, you are never out of the fight.
Ian Espinosa ran that offense well, but it was his position defense that was of note. Even when the taller Cardinals tried to back him into the post, the entry pass didn’t come. In fact, only once did Mapua score on a post up on Espinosa.
Having watched Ian since his Ateneo high days, he always played with a big heart. He could score some back then but is finding it tougher in the college ranks. I would rather that he stick that pull up jumper as opposed to driving in the lane which-in my opinion-often ends up not very well.
It was Kieffer Alas-and to an extent, Espinosa-and Grayson Rogers providing the scoring sock in the first half, but when Andrew Bongo, Shawn Tuano, Jared Bahay, EJ Kapihe, and Travis Roberts got going in the second half, Ateneo was tougher to beat.
In fact, in three matches thus far in the Pinoyliga, this was the most balanced in terms of scoring.
Alas led with 22 points. Roberts added 10 with Espinosa, Rogers, and Kapihe adding nine each. Bongo chipped in eight with Bahay and Rogers each netting eight points.
If the Blue Eagles want to be able to rack up some wins this coming University Athletic Association of the Philippines season, they will need Roberts to get untracked. But what a feathery jump shot he has.
Now, mark my words… the better grasp of the game Rogers has, he will be a huge difference maker.
More than the offense being spread around, the Blue Eagles had a 19-11 advantage in assists and outrebounded the Cardinals 41-27.
When the Blue Eagles began to jam the inbound pass, there went the Hail Marys.
Again, the second half adjustments worked.
When people tell me that this isn’t the finely tuned offense of Tab Baldwin, yes it isn’t. But remember, the Blue Eagles missed the Final Four two seasons running. So much for the offense. I like the fact, that they mix it up inside and will pound the ball in when need be.
The return of Bongo and Tuano after a two-week absence (with the 3×3 national team) was massive. The two are now veterans and having played for the national team gives them confidence, more exposure, and pride.
Tuano’s back-to-back triples were the backbreakers.
Let me go back to Louie Alas’ statement to me. Yep, malayo pa. But still, 3-0 and into the semis has to feel very good. Every win from OLFU to CSB and now, Mapua, there are facets of the game they are learning as a team.
In the first game, it was about settling down and putting up points. In the second, it was coming from behind. In this win, it was once more coming from behind but also nursing a lead. But throughout, it was playing team defense.
Now, imagine when they start to fire on all cylinders.