Entering the season, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles were the overwhelming favorites to win it all.
But this season has showed that the Blue Eagles are also mortal.
Right in the very first game of the season, the Adamson Soaring Falcons stuned the defending champions, 74-70.
Which is why it comes as a surprise that Tab Baldwin conceded that if he had a choice, he would rather face Adamson than the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the Finals.
“Now I could say it, we really didn’t want them in the final. But that’s what we got so that’s what we have to face,” he shared after Game One.
This, even if Blue Eagles handily defeated the Fighting Maroons during their two elimination round encounters, winning by an average margin of 12.5 points per game.
Baldwin was wary of the chemistry developing among the Fighting Maroons as the season progressed. Especially since it resulted in UP winning four straight knockout matches to advance to their first Finals in 32 years.
“Much more determined, much more cohesive,” is Baldwin’s assessment of the difference between the Fighting Maroons now compared to when the Blue Eagles faced them.
“They understand their personnel; they understand how to create shots much better and they play for one another. It’s quite obvious,” he said, as UP have found synergy between their two alphas Paul Desiderio and Juan Gomez de Liano.
“So that always makes a team tougher. It’s something I think that probably coach Bo was working on throughout the season, and I think he’s got it pretty close to right,” he added.
“Now they’re a really, really tough opponent.”
In Game One, it showed. The Fighting Maroons were able to weather numerous Ateneo rallies. But the Blue Eagles had one last rally in them and it came at the right time – in the final quarter.
That is why Baldwin is bracing for another tough one come Wednesday.
“I think you got to give credit to… you don’t have to give UP credit, they did what they got here to do. I’m sure that’s what coach Bo expects of them. I was very impressed with the way that they played,” praised the decorated tactician.
“We can’t expect anything less on Wednesday from them. We have to expect a lot more from our defense on Wednesday.”
