Game 3 hero SJ Belangel takes inspiration from Mike Nieto

SJ Belangel. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

In the buildup to Game 3 of the UAAP Season 80 juniors’ basketball Finals, Mike Nieto reminded SJ Belangel that all the struggles will be worth it.

Ateneo was on the heels of blowing its chance for a perfect season after succumbing to National U, 70-67 last Tuesday, and the Blue Eaglets only had three days to refocus in hopes of replicating the success the Nietos did back in Season 77.

“Kuya Mike told me that once we win, all the memories from the start, the struggles that we had to endure, it will all feel great in the end,” he said.

That fateful talk played repeatedly in Belangel’s head when he trooped to the foul line with 9.8 seconds remaining. Ateneo was holding on to a 60-58 lead and the shifty playmaker had a chance to seal the game for good.

“Kai (Sotto), Joaqui (Manuel), Jason (Credo), and Dave (Ildefonso) were all telling me to finish the job. They were telling me to shoot both of my free throws so that we can just go down on defense and get this over with,” recounted Belangel.

The first foul shot hit the backrim, but eventually found the bottom of the net as the blue side cheered in jubilation to make it a three-point game. That lifted the pressure off of Belangel as he cooly sank his second to put the nail in the coffin, 62-58.

“I just trusted the ball to go in. I just tried to be composed every time,” he said as he finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, and an assist for the Blue Eaglets, which came away with the 63-58 decision over the Bullpups for their 19th juniors’ championship.

With the weight of the world out of his shoulders and now free to hoist the Season 80 trophy high and proud, Belangel could only thank Nieto for preparing his mind for those game-sealing buckets as he and his teammates join the long list of players who proudly represented and triumphed for Ateneo High in the UAAP wars.

“It feels so great,” he said. “Like what kuya Mike said, it’s all worth it.”