Ateneo de Manila University wasted no time proving that there was nothing amiss with its vaunted system despite taking the UAAP stage for the first time in weeks.
Looking every inch the history-makers that cruised to the Finals outright, the Blue Eagles churned out a clinical opening salvo of Game One of the title series. The reigning champions then buried University of Santo Tomas, 32-17, at the end of the opening frame.
In the face of a desperate situation, though, the Growling Tigresses saw a glimmer of hope. And the one who provided daylight for the beleaguered UST was the reigning Rookie of the Year, Mark Nonoy.
“Ginawa ko lang lahat kasi nahirapan ‘yung first group namin, so kailangan naming mag-step up,” admitted speedster out of Negros Occidental.
Nonoy commanded the spotlight on the biggest stage of the collegiate wars, pouring 18 of his career-high 26 points inside the first two quarters. His offensive exploits got the Growling Tigers to as close as three, 41-38.
“Tulad ng laro namin sa Ynares against Adamson, well, he was unconscious again. Pero the thing is, we are allowing him to do that,” UST head coach Aldin Ayo said.
“He was unconscious pero nandun pa rin siya sa gusto namin na maging playmaker siya. So he has to take those shots ‘pag every time na ma-open siya.”
But Thirdy Ravena put up an offensive onslaught of his own, as the Blue Eagles weathered Nonoy’s storm and restored order in the second half.
Ultimately, Nonoy’s career-best outing went down the drain with UST faltering to Ateneo in Game One, 77-91. And the freshman court general could then only lament the blowout loss.
“Siyempre masakit kasi eto na ‘yung goal namin, pero na-short kami,” the 19-year-old Nonoy confessed.
“We did our best naman pero kinulang lang.”
But the Growling Tigers have no time to sulk following the beatdown, with Game Two just around the corner. Nonoy himself is well aware of this. He vowed that they will bounce back in the win-or-go-home tiff on Wednesday.
“Mag-aadjust kami sa training namin. [Bahala na] kay Coach Aldin sa kung anong i-aadjust niya para sa ikabubuti ng team,” he bared.
“Siguro gawin lang namin ‘yung best namin. Magtulungan lang kami. Babawi kami sa Game Two.”
