UAAP: Ateneo guard Jared Brown earns praise from coach Tab Baldwin

Ateneo’s Jared Brown in a win over UE in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin heaped praises on backcourt shooter Jared Brown after their win over University of the East in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.

While  Brown proved to be a big threat on offense for the Blue Eagles’ opposition, Baldwin still wants him to improve his game on both ends of the floor.

“He’s a really good shooter and he’s a guy who has the ability to attack and he’s willing to attack [the rim],” said Baldwin after the 76-69 win at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

“It’s good to have a player like that but again like every player, what we ultimately want are complete players; players who aren’t a liability at one end of the court.”

Brown finished with 11 points on an efficient 42.9 percent shooting clip to go along with three rebounds and two assists.

The Filipino-American floor general played like he’s aware of what Baldwin wants from him as he also snagged two steals in the defensive end.

Brown was also a huge factor in helping the Blue Eagles pull away late from coach Jack Santiago’s wards, sinking a triple to take a 74-69 lead with 1:56 left.

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

However, it wasn’t just Brown who received great remarks from the head tactician.

Josh Lazaro shot poorly from the field to finish with just five markers, but it was his intangibles that impacted Ateneo’s game to bring the squad to a 2-2 card.

“Today’s game was also a great example of Josh Lazaro being a positive contributor. We don’t generally think of him as a big offensive producer but it didn’t hurt us at all,” said Baldwin of Lazaro.

Still, Baldwin still emphasized that his team, heading forward, should be all about improvement if they want to be where they were, this time last year.

“You guys are going to get sick and tired of me saying development, growth, maturity and all of those but that’s just our lives right now.”