Going for it

All season long, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin has tried his best to tune out the talk of a sweep for the Blue Eagles.

Now that they’re on the cusp of applying the broom in UAAP Season 82, Baldwin is adamant that his players focus more on their performance rather than the outcome as the Eagles also face bigger, more important battles ahead in the playoffs.

“Nothing changes,” Baldwin stressed as the Blue Eagles brace for the clash against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Wednesday in the final elimination round match at 4 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena.

“The next game is the last game. I understand that we have a chance at a sweep but those are just minor issues for us. What we’re worried about is how we’ll play against UP,” Baldwin added.

The Eagles are seeking to complete the first elimination-round sweep in 12 years—and secure the first finals seat—against a UP team that seems to have a huge burden lifted off following a 71-68 win over La Salle last Sunday.

That victory gave the Maroons the second twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four as they improved to 9-4. They will go into the last game of the season with a target of setting their best record since the current tournament format was adopted in 1994.

But Ateneo, which has come within one victory of an elimination-round sweep four times in the last 12 years, is also closing in on a historic campaign.

Not since the University of the East Red Warriors won all of their 14 elimination round games in Season 70 has a team been able to pull off a sweep. Those Red Warriors, however, were swept by La Salle, 0-2, in the finals.

A win over UP will also avoid a semifinal matchup with University of Santo Tomas and push the Eagles to within two wins of a third straight title.

The next time they could be facing the Tigers would be the finals, if ever.

“To be perfectly honest, we tune all that out,” said Baldwin, referring to the sweep. “We do the best of our ability to tune all that out. And just stay focused on the job, it doesn’t change. But of course, we’re excited about the game.”

UP coach Bo Perasol said he’ll be using the game to gauge his team’s readiness for the Final Four. Should a sweep happen, FEU and UST will play in a knockout game with the survivor facing UP, which will have a twice-to-beat edge for the second finals seat.

That’s why there’s nothing much at stake for the Maroons in this game, as they will have a win-once edge no matter if the Eagles sweep the eliminations or not.

“We’re more worried about the playoffs at this point,” said Perasol.

The two other games involve teams no longer in contention. La Salle hopes to close out its campaign on a positive note as it tangles with Adamson at 12:30 p.m., after University of the East battles National U at 10:30 a.m.