UAAP: Mason Amos showing steady improvement for Ateneo

Ateneo’s Mason Amos during a game against UP in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo rookie Mason Amos is eager to keep improving heading into the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.

Slowly getting into his rhythm, Amos was the hero for the Blue Eagles in a 99-89 overtime win over University of the Philippines on Sunday.

The Fil-Aussie big man uncorked seven of his 19 points in OT to help Ateneo post its first winning streak of the season.

“Having to improve throughout the year, I knew my defense was horrible at the start of the year. So I guess this improving bit by bit is what it’s about,” said Amos, who also had 10 rebounds and two assists.

“I still got a lot of years ahead of me again like my development is up to this guy right here [Tab Baldwin]. So props to him, too.”

With the Blue Eagles rising to the third seed with a 4-3 record, the Gilas Pilipinas cadet said they have to be wary entering the second round of what has been an unpredictable Season 86.

“Any team is beatable in this league. You saw today, UST got its first win as well. So any team can beat any team in this league, and we have to take every game as serious as the other games,” he said.

Amos attributed his big game to the whole Blue Eagles, who also drew big games from Chris Koon, Joseph Obasa, Kai Ballungay, and Jared Brown.

“Honestly, it was a team effort. If we didn’t have all our guys stepping up today, I don’t think we’ll get the job done, so props to the team,” he said. “We really stepped up as a team and we really played defense until the final buzzer and we went to OT. So, it was an up-and-down game, I just wanna give credit to the guys because they deserve it. “

Amos said he just tried to convert the good looks given to him by his teammates in overtime.

“Just getting a good look, with the shot clock was running down, the only thing that was on my mind was just trying to get a shot off because it would have been a turnover. But then, you get some that just fall, and I guess I’ll just gonna have to live like that,” he said.

Amos lauded his team for staying composed after UP climbed back from a 78-68 hole in the fourth to force extra time.

“I just think we just did a great job keeping composed. We know that they were bound to make a comeback because they’re a good team, their guards, again, one of the best in the league so we just stayed composed, stick to what we could control and I guess that’s how we got it done,” Amos said.