MANILA, Philippines — “The score doesn’t tell the whole story on how hard this game was fought.”
Those were Ateneo head coach Sandy Arespacochaga’s first words after the Blue Eagles hammered an 84-69 win over the University of the East in the 79th UAAP men's basketball tournament Saturday.
“We knew that UE will go all out,” he added. We still have ups and downs. Sometimes our youth shows but we were able to pick up in the third and fourth quarter.”
“But for us in the greater scheme of things, this is the game where we grew up,” added Arespacochaga, whose wards dealt the Red Warriors their fifth defeat in as many outings.
And that line couldn’t be more fitting for Anton Asisitio, who led all Eagles in scoring with a career-high 21 points.
“I’m not really thinking of my scoring. I'm just trying to be aggressive while running the system and I try to find open teammates,” the sophomore guard said.
A Team B call-up, Asistio once exploded for 45 markers in a Fr. Martin Cup game.
“Anton has really worked hard on his game. For those of you familiar with him, he’s worked so hard. We’re not really surprised,” Sandy said of Asistio.
The Blue Eagles, who are nursing the absence of Aaron Black, also drew double-digit scoring form Adrian Wong (17), Mike Nieto (11) and Chibueze Ikeh (11). They registered 52 attempts from the free throw line and converted 35 off the trips, overtaking their total from their last four games.
“We had a lot of turnovers, they got 16 turnover points in the second quarter alone,” Arespacochaga rued. “We had 27 and we gave up 31 points off turnovers.”
“We had a terrible second quarter but we had a great third and fourth. It’s also credit to the other guys. We lost Aaron, (but) other guys stepped up,” he said.
“And that’s what we’re looking for,” the tactician added.
Losing to two perennial contenders NU and darkhorse Adamson, Ateneo wasn’t the hotshot squad it was always penciled to be. But after a convincing win against defending champions FEU and a gritty win over bridesmaids UST, the Katipunan-based club have now reasserted their position in the league.
Now, they share the second place with the Falcons behind the favorite Archers in the standings.
The Blue Eagles will take on the Fighting Maroons next before facing the league favorites De La Salle to close the first round hostilities.