By: Joaquin Cortez
Jared Bahay refused to dwell on his individual performance after Ateneo de Manila University suffered a 75-94 beatdown at the hands of University of the Philippines in the Battle of Katipunan on Saturday.
Bahay finished with 17 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals, but his personal numbers meant little with the Blue Eagles unable to secure the win. Kieffer Alas was the only other Ateneo player to score in double figures, finishing with 13 points.
The loss came after Ateneo opened its Season 89 campaign with a commanding 101-74 victory over University of the East.
Ateneo has now lost its last seven games against UP, with its most recent victory coming in Season 86.
“I think my performance is not enough for the team. Kasi hindi naman magiging good ‘yong performance unless we win,” said Bahay.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Blue Eagles failed to replicate their dominant 26-point win over UE in the opener, instead suffering a 19-point loss to the Fighting Maroons as UP pulled away in the second half.
Bahay pointed to Ateneo’s inconsistency and failure to stick to its game plan as the areas that ultimately cost the Blue Eagles against their Katipunan rivals.
“Hindi kami consistent. Hindi namin sinusunod yung game plan and coaching system,” he said.
The Blue Eagles also struggled to contain UP’s James Payosing and Veejay Pre, who both made their breakout performances after completing their residency year. Payosing finished with 16 points, while Pre added 14.
UP also outrebounded Ateneo, 49-34, as the Fighting Maroons maintained control of the game in the second half.
Still, Bahay refused to put the responsibility of carrying Ateneo solely on himself and fellow guard Alas, who have emerged as one of the Blue Eagles’ key backcourt combinations early in the season.
“Hindi lang kami ‘yong magpapanalo sa team. Kailangan namin na lahat na collective,” said Bahay. “Even yung last guy on the bench, kailangan namin sila.”
With Ateneo set to face Adamson University next week, Bahay said the Blue Eagles will use the break to polish their execution and address their free-throw shooting.
“Siguro, polish pa namin ‘yong kulang namin sa sistema. And especially free throws, we’ll work on it. Prepare for Adamson,” he said.
