Ever since they were in elementary, the Nieto twins — Mike and Matt — have played for Ateneo.
They’ve worn the blue and white for so long that it’s weird seeing them wear any other color. The twins have overcome numerous adversities en route championships with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets. So it should come as no surprise that the Nietos knew exactly what to say and how to approach their heartbreaking loss in Game One of the UAAP Finals to archrivals De La Salle University Green Archers.
Big Mike Nieto was pivotal throughout the match, frustrating La Salle’s main man Jeron Teng and even drawing a pivotal flagrant foul on Kib Montalbo midway through the third quarter. Mike, though, had to be carried out of the floor in the fourth quarter due to cramps and an ankle injury.
But his heroics were enough to help Ateneo keep it close, setting up Matt’s almost game-winner.
Off a timeout, Ateneo set up a hand-off play for Matt, who barreled his way to the lane and hit a floater over Aljun Melecio, his only field foal for the game, plus a foul. Ateneo took their first lead of the game, 65-64, with 34.6 seconds remaining.
Matt missed the free throw but got his own rebound. Unfortunately, a slew of miscues at the end game got the best of the Blue Eagles.
“I’ve seen him do that since we were in the Juniors pa. Parang dati nga lang kasi he and Aljun [Melecio] have been guarding each other like that ever since,” Mike, a former UAAP Juniors MVP, said of his brother’s clutch shot.
“I’m just thinking na I wanna win, I’m gonna do everything to win. I don’t want to disappoint coach Tab [Baldwin]. I just saw an opening, just took it by heart,” added Matt, who finished with just five points but played his usual solid defense.
“Talagang gusto kong manalo. I just showed them that you never underestimate a heart of an Atenean.”
Just as no one had expected the Blue Eagles to reach the Finals this season, barely anyone thought that either of the Nieto twins would end up as key players for the seniors squad.
Part of a recruiting class that included three other blue chip point guards, Matt was expected to fall out of the rotation. On the other hand, coming into college having played as a big man his entire life, Mike’s combination of immense girth and short stature didn’t look like it would translate well into the collegiate game.
But Matt worked his way to more minutes in his rookie season, and Mike lost weight and embraced his new wing position. And just like how the Blue Eagles got to the Finals, the Nietos got to where they are now through of blue-collar hard work and execution.
“I guess it was all about just hard work for us. Even if there wasn’t a lot of expectations on us to start the season, we’re here now. We believed as a team na kaya namin makarating dito. But it isn’t over yet, we lost Game One and alam naming Game Two is going to be different,” declared Mike.
“We have a big heart that coach Tab and coach Sandy [Arespacochaga] always emphasizes in the team, this ballgame always leads to the team na malaki yung puso and who wants it more.
“We always prepare mostly mentally. Just always trust the system because coach Tab will lead us to the way that is right. We’re a young team, still in the learning process pero we have to cope up with the challenges pero pag Ateneo-La Salle talaga hindi mo maalis yung excitement and yung spirit na ayaw magpatalo, pride yan per school,” added Matt.
In the Juniors division, the Nietos won their only title after being down in their best of three series 0-1 against the National University Bullpups back in Season 77.
“We just have to work hard and go out there and play the Ateneo way and we’ll be fine,” said Mike when asked what he had learned from past that Finals series.
“We’re going to prepare and trust our coaches and each other. We haven’t let each other down this season and we’re not going to start in Game Two,” Matt admitted.
What’s made Mike and Matt incredible additions to the team is their understanding of the Ateneo culture. In winning or in losing, the twins will fight the Ateneo way.
