Ateneo ‘a better team’ than last year heading into finals rematch vs DLSU

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin doesn’t have time to ponder over the Blue Eagles’ hard-fought Final Four duel against Far Eastern University.

After overcoming the Tamaraws in overtime in their do-or-die, Baldwin said he immediately turned his attention to the defending champions, whom the Eagles will face in a best-of-three finals for the second straight time.

“La Salle, what else would I be thinking about?” said Baldwin after Ateneo pulled off an 88-84 win Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena. “We have to move on. I think the coaching staff has to set the tone and we got to come down the cloud pretty quick.”

READ: Ateneo escapes FEU in OT, faces DLSU in UAAP Finals rematch

“We have to put our focus on the next game because we didn’t play this season just to win in the semis. We played this season to go as far as this team is capable of going.”

La Salle is already in the championship round after scoring a controversial 82-75 win over Adamson University that saw the three referees, who officiated the game get suspended for four games.

Baldwin is raring to get back at La Salle after it swept Ateneo last year.

“We’re a better team [this season],” said Baldwin after his Blue Eagles topped the elimination round with a 13-1 card. “We’ve proven we’re a better team all year long.”