Ateneo Blue Eagles huddle during a game against the NU Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin admitted the pressure is palpable for the young Blue Eagles to redeem themselves in the second half of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
A basketball program used to winning and contending for championships since the 2000s, the Blue Eagles now found themselves in unfamiliar territory sitting at the bottom of the standings at the end of the first round.
“There’s pressure. Whether you feel it in the locker room or in the practice court, it’s there,” said Baldwin after Ateneo’s 78-68 loss to National University on Saturday night.
READ: UAAP: NU stops slide, adds to Ateneo’s woes
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin after Ateneo’s first round. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/tmpdT4zPL1
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The loss sent the Blue Eagles to a 1-6 record–the school’s worst start in men’s basketball in the Final Four era.
Baldwin said the struggles have also taken a toll on his players, especially blue-chip rookie Jared Bahay.
Bahay, who starred for Ateneo de Cebu in high school, had 15 points and four assists but went just 5-of-16 from the field.
“I’m glad he hit shots whenever they came. We know the talent of the player and it just hasn’t been on show,” said Baldwin of Bahay.
“I think Jared’s been pressing. I think he’s been trying too hard and he takes our lack of success personally.”
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Another young gun in sophomore guard Andrew Bongo paced Ateneo with 17 points on a 50-percent clip from the field.
Easing up the pressure won’t be easy especially if the losses continue to pile up and it will take some time too with the Blue Eagles still lacking experience.
“The maturity of the team is what will help alleviate that pressure. Losing doesn’t help us mature easily so it’s hard. You guys are witnessing a very interesting sporting dynamic which I lived through before, but these kids haven’t.”