Matt Nieto on calmly sinking game-winning FTs for Ateneo: All about practice

MANILA, Philippines — Practice pays off.

And you need not look far for proof. Before a crowd of 14,717 on Sunday night, Ateneo de Manila University’s Matt Nieto displayed stellar plays on both ends of the court to help his team topple a gritty stand by their archrivals De La Salle University.

The third-year guard intercepted a pass by Kib Montalbo that would’ve enabled the Green Archers to burn the clock while enjoying a slim lead. The following sequence would eventually send Nieto to the line for two free throws.

He made the first look to tie the game with four ticks left in the game. Then another to flip the script.

READ: Eagles survive Archers on Matt Nieto's late-game heroics

“Actually I was just relaxed,” he said of his moment at the charity stripe. “We’re always practicing — everyday — free throws. It’s always my routine,” he shared.

“So I shot it just like in my normal routine. Buti naman nag-pay off ‘yung practices ko ng free throws,” he let out with a sigh of relief.

Nieto would join the the noteworthy names in the Blue Eagles’ stats sheet as he finished the game with a career-best 16 points, four boards, two dimes, two steals and a block.

“Sinwerte na lang kami sa last play,” Nieto offered. "We followed coach (Tab Baldwin’s) defensive scheme and luckily, naging successful 'yung scheme niya.”

But on a personal level, Matt, half of the Eagle’s Nieto twins, also shared that he has fully put himself at the hands of his mentor— which explains the returns.

“If you see coach Tab, he’s the most experienced coach out there — he coached national teams and underdogs teams,” he shared.

“Tumatak lang sa akin na I know he’s gonna help me reach my true potential. So I just trust him,” he noted.

And that perhaps has been a gross simplifcation of the Eagles’ season so far: Buying in on a system, trusting a methodical coach, battling personal hurdles and growing together through various experiences.

The result couldn’t be more pleasing for the formerly young Ateneo crew that surprised in last year’s season with a finals finish: A 7-0 start, with the latest win at the expense of a storied rival.