Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

ADMU

Tab Baldwin makes sure to honor Josh Lazaro’s intangibles vs FEU


The iconic Ateneo de Manila University third quarter rampage happened anew on Sunday against Far Eastern University.

With the Tamaraws ahead by 18 midway, 54-36, Ange Kouame and Forthsky Padrigao finished the frame with 13 consecutive points to pull the Blue Eagles back within five heading into the final period, 49-54.

Paul Garcia, BJ Andrade, Dave Ildefonso, and the reigning Season MVP made sure to continue the rhythm in the fourth en route to the 71-65 win to bring Ateneo to 8-3 in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Yes, the two players mentioned might have scored the important baskets in their patented third salvo storm but for Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin it was Josh Lazaro who sparked the comeback.

And that’s why Baldwin made sure to bring the 6-foot-4 energizer bunny to the post-game interview.

“Things came right in the right time and the guy (Lazaro) sitting next to me I thought he’s a big reason why we got things turned around,” said Baldwin, praising the sophomore out of Ateneo High School.

“His rebounding was inspirational.

“That’s what we needed, we needed some inspiration in order to do a lot of different things well and it seemed like that’s what we lacked in the first half,” added the decorated mentor, referring to Lazaro who got two points, eight rebounds with four coming from the offensive end, and a block in 18 minutes of action.

A sparkplug was what Lazaro was in the second half, matching the physicality of the gritty Far Eastern University, which is also fighting for a spot in the Final Four.

#ReadMore  Even with Papi Sarr around, Ateneo still lambasts Adamson

In one sequence, Lazaro just went feasting on the boards, grabbing three of his four offensive rebounds there much to the delight of the Ateneo crowd in attendance.

But for the do-it-all forward, it’s just simply doing what the team needs in able to succeed.

“During the halftime, coach talked to us and he just told us to do our jobs and focus on execution,” said Lazaro.

“Nasa isip ko lang is to do what the team needs, to give what the team needs. I just kept working and I just did what I could do to help the team,” he added.

And with Baldwin’s appreciation for bringing him to the post-game interview, the 20-year-old cager who was also a former San Beda Red Cub knows for sure that this would add to his confidence moving on.

The Blue Eagles will try to clinch a Final Four spot come Wednesday against University of the East at 4:30 pm.

“I think big help ito sa confidence ko especially second year player. This is a big confidence going into the next games not only for me but the whole team. I think maganda ‘yung chemistry namin this game and we can use that in our next games,” said Lazaro, whose play greatly resembles William Navarro’s.

Written By




You May Also Like

ADMU

After spending his entire academic life in the Jesuit system, Kristian Porter has made a difficult decision — to leave Ateneo de Manila University....

ADMU

De La Salle University continued its dominance at the Moro Lorenzo Gym, securing a commanding 89-77 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the...

Basketball

Ateneo de Manila University will once again host archrival De La Salle University on its home floor, as the two squads collide in the...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University will not be participating in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, which tips off on May 18 at the Filoil...

3x3 Basketball

Every time things got heated during the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School 3×3 Basketball Final between Ateneo and UST, young Sky Jazul would...

ADMU

JT Tan has been in the Philippines for the past few weeks, and the country’s “Big Four” universities are making a strong push to...

3x3 Basketball

Two-time defending UAAP Men’s 3×3 Basketball champion De La Salle University kept its title-retention hopes alive after dispatching last season’s final opponent University of...

3x3 Basketball

National University leaned on the brilliance of Jake Figueroa to outlast Far Eastern University, 21-17, and clinch the top seed in the UAAP Season...

Advertisement