When Ateneo needed a momentum-stopper against a furious La Salle rally, Shawn Tuano rose to the occasion.
The Blue Eagles’ 81-74 win over the Green Archers in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament may look comfortable on paper, but it was anything but. Ateneo had built a commanding 31-point lead at one point, only for La Salle to storm back in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 11, 68-57, with 3:45 left.
That’s when Tuano delivered.
‘If I’m needed to be the energy guy, I’ll be the energy guy. If I need to score, I’ll try to score. If I need to play defense, I’ll play defense,’ Tuano said after the game at Mall of Asia Arena. ‘I just try to do my roles to the best of my abilities.’
Tuano finished with 15 points, including five crucial points down the stretch. He buried back-to-back baskets to fend off the Green Archers and extend Ateneo’s lead to 73-59 with 3:19 remaining.
The forward’s timely contributions helped Ateneo preserve its perfect 4-0 start to the season.
‘Whatever coach Tab says or needs me to do on the court, I have to accomplish those. This is a good win but there’s a lot to learn,’ Tuano added.