UAAP: Mason Amos redeems himself after forgettable debut for Ateneo

Ateneo’s Mason Amos.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Mason Amos rose to the occasion in his first Ateneo-La Salle rivalry game, hitting the big triples to lead the Blue Eagles to their first win in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament 

After a two-point collegiate debut last Saturday, Amos showed up when it mattered most scoring eight straight points, including back-to-back triples for a 70-64 cushion with 2:07 remaining that helped the defending champion secure the victory.

“Honestly, I think it’s really simple for our team. I think that we just found the fight at the end because in the first game, it was pretty scarce, to be honest. I think just fighting until the end, that’s what we showed today,” said the Ateneo prized recruit after beating La Salle, 77-72, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Filipino-Aussie big man, who finished with 12 points including three triples to go with five rebounds, credited his teammates for finding him open as he got the better of La Salle star Kevin Quiambao in their shootout down the stretch.

“It’s just the momentum as well. Even though nothing really stood out in the momentum plays. I think just my teammates getting me the right looks at the right time. I was just in rhythm on my part,” said Amos.

MOMENTUM SWITCH

The 19-year-old Amos attributed their big win to their 66 rebounds against La Salle’s 50 with Joseph Obasa and Kai Ballungay plucking 16 boards each and the latter grabbing 12 of the team’s 27 offensive rebounds.

“Obviously, rebounding was a big key for us, because we know La Salle can really rebound the ball,” he said.

Ballungay, who scored 18 points and provided the energy to Ateneo, heaped praise on Amos for hitting the big shots.

“For me, it was this guy’s shooting. He really stepped up at the right time. We knew he had it in him. The first game was kind of rough for both of us shooting the ball. He found his rhythm and we know he can do that. Coaches put him in a position to succeed and do those types of things,” Ballungay said. “He showed out tonight in the fourth quarter, so I think that was really the momentum switch.”

Amos, who played for Gilas Pilipinas even before making his UAAP debut, relished his first Ateneo-La Salle experience, describing it was “a great basketball game” but he quickly  turned his focus on Adamson on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

“[We’re] really just taking it one game at a time. We know it’s an Ateneo-La Salle rivalry, so it’s always good to get that win, but we’ll still move into the next one,” he said.

Ateneo eyes its second win after a four-way tie at 1-1 with La Salle, Adamson, and University of the East.

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