A tough loss to National University Nazareth School may have been a blessing in disguise for Ateneo de Manila University, as the Blue Eagles continue their Final Four pursuit among the league’s heavyweights in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
Lead guard Noah Banal admitted that their narrow 78-81 defeat to the Bullpups in their second-round opener last February 8 served as a wake-up call for Ateneo after a strong 6-1 first-round performance.
Unlike their commanding 86-63 win over NUNS on January 22, Ateneo struggled in the endgame of the second-round matchup, unable to contain Shaun Lucido, who took over in the clutch and handed the Blue Eagles their second loss of Season 88.
“I don’t think it’s just me. I think everyone after that game was extra motivated. Something woke up inside of us,” said Banal, grandson of champion coach Joel Banal and nephew of former PBA players Gab and Ael Banal.
“This is already the second round, and we can’t lose this opportunity of continuing our pursuit of making Ateneo return to the Final Four or even Finals.”
On Sunday afternoon against another contender, the University of the East, inside the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, Banal made sure that the wake-up call did not go to waste.
With the Blue Eagles down 47-54 with 4:59 left, Banal came through in the clutch — scoring eight of Ateneo’s final 10 points, including a stepback jumper, four free throws, and a layup — to restore a 64-55 lead with 1:10 remaining and seal the Blue Eagles’ bounceback victory.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
It was a fitting comeback for the 18-year-old guard. Against the Junior Warriors, Banal had been limited to just four points on 1-of-6 shooting before his late-game heroics. In contrast, during the loss to the Bullpups, he missed two crucial free throws down the stretch that could have changed Ateneo’s fortunes.
“I had a rough start, and they just guided me through it to show them what I can do. They allowed me to perform amidst the early struggles,” shared the former Mapua Red Robin.
“I just placed my trust in Coach Bacon — telling me to stay ready and get my head back into the game. Everyone motivated me that I can still do it. It’s all God, coaches, and for my teammates.”
For new head coach Bacon Austria, Banal’s fourth-quarter explosion was proof of the trust and patience shown not only by his coaches but also by teammates who stepped up alongside him, including Audwyn Tamayo, Nigerian center Jude Eriobu, Jay-M Leal, and Zane Kallos.
That trust paid off handsomely in the clutch, as Banal turned early mistakes into late-game heroics, demonstrating poise beyond his years and showing that both he and the Blue Eagles had fully responded to their wake-up call.
“Noah was struggling in the first half, but Audwyn picked it up, and Noah finished it. I was talking to Noah earlier that he just needs to reset, calm down, and maso-shoot din yan. I told him that he’s gonna come back in after missing those shots, making crazy turnovers in the start, but that’s how I put my trust in my players,” Austria shared.
“Si Audwyn barely played pero lahat ng play nung first half, sa kanya. I think the players know it na not everyone is gonna play, but everyone has to stay ready.”
