By: Joaquin Cortez
Despite a three-game losing streak to close out the first round of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, Ateneo rookie ace Kieffer Alas remains confident that the Blue Eagles can bounce back and stay in the thick of the tightly contested Final Four race.
After winning three of their first four games behind the collective efforts of Alas, Travis Roberts, Jared Bahay, and EJ Kapihe, the Blue Eagles have struggled to sustain their early momentum, dropping consecutive games against perennial contenders Far Eastern University, De La Salle University, and, most recently, the University of Santo Tomas on Saturday night.
The skid left Ateneo with a 3-4 win-loss record at solo seventh place in the standings heading into the second round of eliminations.
However, Alas insists that the team’s confidence remains intact despite the disappointing finish to the opening round.
“No excuse for the losses, but as a team, our morale is high naman,” Alas told Tiebreaker Times on Saturday night at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
One of the biggest factors behind Ateneo’s struggles has been its inconsistent offense, which hit a season low against the Growling Tigers. The Blue Eagles shot just 20-of-75 from the field, a dismal 26.7 percent clip.
Alas paced Ateneo with 18 points but converted only five of his 20 attempts from the field. Bahay, meanwhile, managed just three points on 1-of-13 shooting, while Roberts and Ian Espinosa added seven points apiece on 3-of-10 and 1-of-6 shooting, respectively.
The former De La Salle Zobel standout acknowledged that the Blue Eagles’ offensive woes have cost them crucial games in an increasingly competitive UAAP men’s basketball race. Still, he believes that the team can address its shot-selection issues and find its rhythm in the second round.
“As a team naman, we talked about our shot selection. We talked about how it lost us a couple of games, which affected our standing,” Alas shared.
“Medyo nanghihinayang kami sa mga losses na ‘yon but I feel like as a team naman, we’re all selfless individuals naman, kaya I believe we can get through it come the second round.”
Rather than panic over their recent slide, the Blue Eagles are choosing to stay the course and trust the process as they prepare for the next round of eliminations.
For Alas and his teammates, their campaign carries a purpose that goes beyond wins and losses.
Throughout Season 89, Ateneo has dedicated its campaign to its fallen brothers, Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, who drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.
With that motivation driving them forward, Alas remains hopeful that the Blue Eagles can turn their fortunes around and make a stronger push for a Final Four berth.
“We have high hopes for the second round because we’re playing for a bigger purpose naman. We’re just gonna stay the course lang.”
