The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles opened their second round campaign the same way they opened their season: with a masterful defensive showcase against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
Prior to this game, Adamson had leapfrogged Ateneo as the top defensive team in the league. But the Blue Eagles showed the Soaring Falcons why their defense is a cut above the rest, suffocating Adamson’s three-point shooters as they combined to shoot just 1-for-18 from distance. Moreover, Ateneo’s defense was on-point, forcing 20 turnover that led to 20 points.
But with the wins becoming habitual for the Blue Eagles, last season’s runners-up are taking a different approach to their games.
“We’re not really looking at our record right now. That’s what we keep on emphasizing. That’s what coach Tab [Baldwin] wants us to focus on the next game, the current game that’s in front of us and not our record, not our standing,” shared Ateneo’s lead assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
For the last eight games, Arespacochaga has sounded like a broken record, always emphasizing that they need to watch the game tape when asked for their thoughts about their next opponent. Monotonous, repetitive.
But that’s why Ateneo and the Lyceum Pirates of the NCAA have been successful so far. It’s because they are no longer looking forward to who comes next. What they look forward to doing is finding the next level.
“It’s a new round, hindi puwedeng same lang yung preparation namin dun sa ginawa namin nung first round. Kasi lahat naman ng teams na yan, first round, naka-adjust yan,” said Thirdy Ravena, who is averaging 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists so far this season, “We still have to work hard, we can’t be complacent. Just to add to what coach Sandy said, when you think about the standing na as it is, 8-0 ka, wala kang makukuha sa 8-0 kasi next game, it’s either 8-1 or 9-0.
“So you have to have that next game mentality, that you have to prepare, you can’t be complacent.”
Over and over again.
“Tough game by Adamson, but tomorrow, we have to re-focus on the game on Wednesday.”
