Ateneo coach Baldwin sees ‘track’ duel vs UST

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2019 09:05:57 +0000

University of Santo Tomas has made heads turn early with two big wins over University of the East and last year’s losing finalist University of the Philippines.

Whether the UST Tigers are indeed for real will be known when they collide with the three-peat seeking Ateneo Eagles today in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ateneo star Thirdy Ravena hopes to bounce back from a dismal showing the last time.

The anticipated duel is set at 10:30 a.m. with both teams going for their third wins in the eight-team tournament.

Mentored by Aldin Ayo – the same coach who masterminded the title wins of Letran (NCAA) and La Salle, the Tigers dismantled the Warriors, 95-82, and the Maroons, 85-65.

The Eagles, on the other hand, lived up to their billing as the team to beat this season with victories over the Adamson Falcons (70-52) and archrival De La Salle Archers (81-69).

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin expects a fast-paced game after watching UST wore down UP over the weekend.

“I was so entertained watching his team,” he said of Ayo’s wards. “They (UST) buy into the system, the discipline is outstanding, so I don’t expect anything easy (on Wednesday).”

“I think I’ll wake the team (Ateneo) up about 6 a.m. to get them ready for that track meet that it’s going to be,” said Baldwin.

Ange Kouame is expected to provide inside strength for Ateneo to slow down UST while offense will come from brothers Mike and Matt Nieto after combining for 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists against La Salle.

The Eagles also hope Thirdy Ravena and Isaac Go will regain their bearings after their dismal showing the last time.

For the Tigers, Ayo will make sure his stalwarts will come in fully prepared like their last two games.

“Obviously, they are the best collegiate tea
http://tempo.com.ph/feed/