Being a steady hand at the point guard position in Tab Baldwin’s methodical system has been such a vital role for Ateneo, a role that Matt Nieto has fulfilled in the most brilliant of ways for the past several years.
But on Wednesday evening, Nieto took the UAAP stage for one last time. And so the heir-apparent to his throne in SJ Belangel made sure to prove that the future is in safe hands.
“Siguro mindset ko lang is for my seniors, ‘yun lang talaga. Last game na [kaya] I won’t let kuya Matt down sa mga sinasabi niya sa akin,” said the Ateneo lifer.
In the frenetic Game Two of the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Finals, Belangel displayed grace under pressure.
When UST whittled away a double-digit deficit down to a solitary point at 66-67, with less than eight minutes left in regulation, Belangel swished a triple with aplomb to restore order for the Blue Eagles. Not long after that, the 20-year-old guard drained another trey, piling on Ateneo’s cushion en route to a career-high 15 points — all coming from three-point territory.
Belangel’s cold-blooded marksmanship was reminiscent of Nieto’s clutch persona, Matty Ice.
“Niloloko nga ako ni Thirdy [Ravena], fireman daw ako. Parang needed the baskets siguro, lagi point guard ‘yung inaasahan,” the 6-foot playmaker bared.
“Nakuha ko kay kuya Matt ‘yung confidence na puso lang. Alam niyo naman si kuya Matt, ‘di magpapatalo.”
And just like the selfless Nieto, Belangel gave it his all for the betterment of Ateneo, leading up to the completion of a historic 16-game sweep and a championship hat trick.
In the process, Belangel also successfully helped the rest of the remaining Blue Eagles roll out the red carpet for their seniors in Matt and Mike Nieto, Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go and Adrian Wong.
“So ayun, mindset ko lang this is for my seniors. Kaya ayun, luckily, I hit my shots,” he beamed.
As Nieto received his well-deserved curtain call, Belangel now takes the reins as Ateneo’s court general in the years to come. And the young playmaker is more than willing to rise to the challenge, especially with the lessons he’s learned from his predecessor.
“Leadership lang talaga tapos ‘yung how to handle certain stuff, especially during practices. ‘Yun ‘yung mga natutunan,” he shared.
Still, Belangel pointed out that carrying the responsibility’s that Nieto left is not his job alone. After all, Ateneo also has a capable guard in the wings in Tyler Tio. From here on out, it’s a collective effort between the two of them.
“For mem I just have to be ready kasi hindi lang naman ako. Andyan si Kuya Ty, kasi sa mga nagagawa ko ngayon dahil sa kanila yun ni Kuya Matt,” Belangel said.
“In practices, we push each other hard para in-game, lahat ng ginagawa namin alam na namin. Next man up kami ni kuya Ty. ‘Di ako lang.”
