Rather than celebrating Ateneo de Manila University’s perfect start to UAAP Season 88, coach Tab Baldwin is already looking ahead — toward the toughest tests yet.
Up next for the Blue Eagles? The ‘Big Three.’
In a grueling three-game stretch, Ateneo will face archrival De La Salle University on Sunday, University of the Philippines on October 8, and the surging University of Santo Tomas on October 11.
These matchups will determine whether the Blue Eagles can truly coexist with the league’s elite this season.
The Growling Tigers, season hosts, currently sit atop the standings with a flawless 3-0 record. Meanwhile, the Green Archers, at 1-1, look to rebound after suffering their first loss.
Then there are the Fighting Maroons, the defending champions, who seek to regain momentum after a disappointing 1-2 start to their title defense.
“We’ve got arguably, and I know the argument is really strong now, the two top teams in the league coming up,” said Baldwin after their dominant 77-58 win over Adamson to put them at 3-0.
“We can forget these first three games and just remember that it’s Ateneo-La Salle and Ateneo-UP. So you throw the script out, you throw everything out. You just get ready for a dogfight.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
La Salle will lean on center Michael Phillips, along with transferees Mason Amos, Luis Pablo, Jacob Cortez, and Kean Baclaan.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP, despite its 1-2 start, remains a formidable opponent.
Goldwin Monteverde will count on Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, Janjan Felicilda, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea to step up and inspire the team to rise to the occasion.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For UST, rookie sensation Collins Akowe is the driving force, supported by the senior backcourt Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao. Together, they have injected new energy into a squad determined to reclaim a crown the Tigers last won in 2006.
“I think probably one of the things we’ll benefit from the first three games is that nothing has come easy,” Baldwin said.
“A couple of very close finishes in the first two games, and late-game situations where you have to execute. In both games, we had to hit good shots and get good shots for the right shooters, and we managed to do that.”
Baldwin also praised his team’s growth under pressure.
The three-time UAAP champion is quick to temper expectations, stressing that the Blue Eagles still have a long way to go.
“It’s not how you start, but how you finish,” Baldwin said.
This year, Ateneo has embraced the role of hunter rather than the hunted. With a chaotic season promising surprises at every turn, Baldwin wants his players ready to seize every opportunity.
“I know it looks like Ateneo 3-0, UST 3-0 sitting at the top, but I don’t believe any of us will be 7-0. The league has a lot of surprises to offer this year. We’ve already seen surprises based on pre-season expectations. It would be foolish to start drawing conclusions now,” he said.
“When we reach the halfway point of the season, maybe the mist will be clearing a bit. I’m certainly not thinking this is a giveaway year, and I’m sure UP and La Salle aren’t either. We just have to keep playing, fight for every opportunity, and be ready when it matters.”
