Flashing improved performances from last year, Thirdy Ravena and Chiz Ike have gotten their share of the spotlight in Ateneo’s unbeaten run in UAAP Season 80, but there’s a slew of unheralded players who equally deserve the credit in the Blue Eagles’ five-game winning streak.
“It’s a luxury that we have very good point guards, and it’s also a luxury that these guys have very good attitudes,” said Eagles assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
“There’s no jealousy and that’s actually a big thing for a team, so we’re also lucky with the attitude of our guards. Most of our players, they have no problems with sharing the ball and sharing the limelight.”
Hoping to continue to draw fine games from playmakers like Matt Nieto, the Eagles face another tough task on Saturday as the Eagles tangle with a National U team known for its suffocating press at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“NU presses a lot, they double-team a lot,” said Arespacochaga. “As much as possible, we can’t be turning the ball over 20 times.”
De La Salle clashes with winless University of Santo Tomas in the first game at 2 p.m. with the Green Archers looking to rebound from their stunning loss to University of the Philippines last week.
If anything, the defeat to the Fighting Maroons only galvanized the Archers.
“What I can tell you is that we’ll go back to the gym and work harder,” said La Salle center Ben Mbala, who fired 34 points in the loss to UP. “I have got to keep that in mind that it doesn’t feel good to lose but you have to look at the bright side of losing. It’s going to make us work harder and want it more than anybody else.”
That could spell more trouble for the Tigers, who have lost their first five games.
The last loss came against the Eagles, 94-84, last Wednesday, the same day the Bulldogs dropped a 93-80 decision to Far Eastern University.
Nieto dominated UST with 18 points.
“Our point guards, I think, they know their roles,” said Nieto. “I guess their unselfishness also allows each one to step up when the need arises.”