Entering Wednesday’s game against the UST Tiger Cubs, morale around the Ateneo Blue Eagles was at a low.
After a 93-86 win over UPIS, Ateneo lost four straight games, suffering defeats at the hands of Adamson, UE, NUNS, and FEU-D.
And they were up against UST — a highly-touted team entering the season.
But instead of bowing down, the Blue Eagles fought against the Tiger Cubs, taking a 74-59 triumph.
It was more than just a win for Grade 12 forward Kristian Porter.
“Well, we’ll take this win as a morale win. But we still didn’t play perfect. Madaming imperfections, marami pang kulang,” said Porter, a Mythical Team member last season.
“We’ll take this win and move on from there.”
Porter was at the forefront of the victory, finishing with a rare 20-20 of 21 points and 24 rebounds.
It was his way of lifting the down spirits of the Blue Eagles.
“Yung win para sa akin, produkto ng hard work namin. Sa efforts ko, commitment yun sa team from me. Ever since, I help them,” furthered the 18-year-old, 6-foot-5 Cebuano.
“Kahit down kami, I make sure to help boost them.”
Up next for the Blue Eagles, though, is a team really familiar with them: the DLSZ Junior Archers.
Definitely, it will be an tension-filled contest. And it’s something that they have to control.
“We are a young team kaya our team is emotional. Better compusure sana,” said head coach Reggie Varilla.
“We won’t take them lightly. It’s up to us to handle the pressure of a rivalry game. It’s either we emerge as diamonds or crumble and scatter,” said Porter, bracing for a showdown with DLSZ’s Grade 10 standout Kieffer Alas.
