MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles’ campaign in UAAP Season 78 got off to a horrendous start after they lost to the FEU Tamaraws, 88-64, in a game where it seemed like they didn’t stand a chance from the get-go.
The Tamaraws, led by the stellar play of Mike Tolomia and RR Pogoy, raced off to a 23-11 lead after one quarter, which provided the landscape for how the rest of the contest would go.
Talking to the media after the loss, Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol says he feels the reason his team was off to a slow start was because they doubted that they could beat FEU.
“The goal was to gauge ourselves against the perceived best team… and we really felt the strength of FEU, but at the same time, I really feel that in the beginning, like we had doubts if we could beat them,” said Perasol, who’s now in his third straight year as Ateneo’s head coach. “Yun yung nakita ko na (that’s what I saw, that) we were just going through the motion.”
(READ: FEU coach Nash Racela ‘proud’ of his boys after beating Ateneo)
Outside of Kiefer Ravena who had 25 points and Gwyne Capacio who put up 14, the Blue Eagles didn’t receive much aid from the rest of the team. Von Pessumal went 3-of-12 from the field, while rookies Jerie Pingoy, Matt Nieto, and Mike Nieto all went scoreless.
“We could have done a better job. I think at the end of that, nakita duon sa depensa namin (it was evident in our defense),” said Perasol, whose Blue Eagles allowed the Tamaraws to shoot 51% from the field.
“The way we played lackluster defense. But it’s good in a way this happened against the best team. At least, we felt the slap in the face. If there is something that we need to achieve this coming season, we need to do more… or else the stronger teams are going to play us around.”
“I need to get some production from the guards, Von, all the other yung mga fini-field ko (that I field),” he said. “Kasi hindi naman kaya mag isa ni Kiefer yan eh. Alam naman namin lahat yan.”
(Kiefer can’t do it by himself. We all know that.)
Even the team’s new import, Chibueze Ikeh, reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year Arvin Tolentino, and Hubert Cani put up just two points each.
“We have to get some more from the others. I know for sure we will be better, but our intention is not just to be better and beat the teams we need to beat; we need to beat the teams that para umangat kami sa top ambisyon namin (so we reach our top ambition). Sadly the way we had played, I don’t think we’re going to go anywhere.”
Perasol admits to taking some of the blame for how Ateneo played, saying he felt he didn’t prepare the team well enough for FEU.
“At the end of the day, sabi ko sakanila, ako rin ang nag prepare sainyo (I told them, I was also the one who prepared you guys). I didn’t think I was able to prepare you well. We talked about this lots of times because we anticipated the adversities that are coming our way. I truly believe that we can still achieve more.”
The Blue Eagles are back in action on Saturday, September 12, when they face the Adamson Falcons. – Rappler.com