Ateneo coach Louie Alas made one thing clear after the Blue Eagles’ 73-68 victory over Adamson in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Alas will almost always live and die with his guards.
Led by Jared Bahay, Ateneo’s backcourt delivered as the Blue Eagles improved to 2-1.
‘Every time I build a team, the centerpiece is always a guard,’ Alas said. ‘If you notice, ever since I started coaching, I have had a minimum of four to five guards, and I have a tendency to put them all together.’
Ian Espinosa provided quality minutes with 10 points on perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the field.
Kieffer Alas struggled offensively with seven points but contributed eight rebounds and three assists.
No guard, however, shone brighter than Bahay, who scored Ateneo’s final six points to help the Blue Eagles hold off the Soaring Falcons.
‘When it comes to Jared, I’ve known him for more than three years. I’ve known him since high school,’ Alas said. ‘I’m a big believer in my guards.’ Bahay stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists.
For the young playmaker, his performance was also about repaying the trust Alas has placed in him.
‘I’m thankful for coach Louie’s trust,’ Bahay said. ‘All I can say is he gives us so much trust, and I give him the same.’