Baldwin rues Eagles’ inability to match Archers’ businesslike mindset
Ateneo de Manila University's Tab Baldwin (partly seen) gives his instructions here to Blue Eagles' Mike Nieto | File Photo
MANILA, Philippines – For Ateneo's Tab Baldwin, La Salle meant business in Game One of the UAAP finals.
Unfortunately, and admittedly, Baldwin believes the Blue Eagles didn't show up with the same resolve.
"I credit La Salle," he said. "They really came out and they were business-like and we weren't."
"It took us a long time to settle down," he added.
True enough, it took the Blue Eagles a quarter before they breached the 10-point mark in the game. If not for Raffy Verano, who came off the bench, the La Salle lead would've swelled and the game would've been far from reach.
"We got off to a terrible start and La Salle got off to a great start with a lot of composure and they did things they wanted and we didn’t. We were very rattled in the beginning I think by La Salle and maybe by the occasion, too," Baldwin added.
"We came out and made some good shots, just changed the complexion of the game, then it was the kinds of the game that it should be: it was two competitive basketball teams working extremely hard, trying to put the caliber of play that made us finalists out on the floor, which is what the fans should expect," the former national team tactician noted.
And as the Blue Eagles prepare to foil the Green Archers' bid to finally cap off an impressive season today at the Araneta Coliseum, Baldwin hopes – or rather expects – that his wards would take better care of the ball and be the more organized team on the floor.
"There’s no doubt in my mind. So again, it comes down to who plays better basketball. The gimmicks, the tricks – that will go out of the window as it did in the second half," he added.
Though he admits that Ateneo have shown signs of the growth that has been the underscoring theme of the team in the latter part of the season, the New Zealander yearns that his cagers would up the ante a bit more – especially today.
"These guys aren’t great basketball players yet. They have a lot to learn. They’re hardworking kids trying to learn the game, and we’re getting phenomenal lessons in a game like this," Baldwin offered.
"But it’s not about lessons right now. It’s about standing up to the challenge and becoming champions."
Game Two tips off at 3:30 p.m. This season's best will be feted in a ceremony before the game.
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