Navarro gives Ateneo lift vs La Salle

Call it pure coincidence or just a spur of the moment but substitute William Navarro delivered big time for Ateneo in its second round matchup against De La Salle in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles ran into a tough predicament in the first half of their second meeting wit the Green Archers after big men Angelo Kouame, Raffy Verano, and Isaac Go combined for six fouls even before the game went into the break.

Without the usual big men patrolling the Blue Eagles’ paint, the lanky Navarro had no choice but to hold down the fort and try to hold off La Salle’s troops made up of Justine Baltazar, Santi Santillan, Brandon Bates, and the returning Taane Samuels.

Verrano did as much as he could and his seven-point, five-rebound performance may not jump out of the page but his mere presence alone did enough for the Blue Eagles to take a 71-62 win.

“Honestly, it was difficult because I had to guard big guys like Samuel, but this is an opportunity that came to me,” said Navarro in Filipino. “My teammates were in foul trouble so I just had to step my game up and contribute as much as I can.”

Navarro then, played considerably shorter in the second half, just six minutes after staying on the court for 11 during the first two quarters, but that was due to the return of Kouame, Go, and Verrano.

Kouame had the best production of the three players who got into foul trouble when he finished with 11 points and 10 boards.

“William did a great job for us and even though he plays power forward we had him play center,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “He gave us quality minutes and that enabled us to preserve Ange and George [Go] so they won’t be in foul trouble in the second half.”

Navarro, who averaged just 2.4 points and 3.4 rebounds prior to the game against La Salle, said he never thought of the hype behind the Blue Eagles’ rivalry with the Green Archers and that he just delivered for Ateneo when called upon.

“You can’t choose when the opportunity comes,” said Navarro. “I just know that I will do my best if I’m given the chance.”