By Kristel Satumbaga
Dreams came true for coach Tab Baldwin and the Ateneo Blue Eagles when they hoisted the UAAP season 82 men’s basketball championship trophy Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles celebrate after defeating the UST Growling Tigers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 82 Finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, November 20, 2019. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)
The Blue Eagles captured their third straight title in historic fashion, capping off the season undefeated in all 16 games including a sweep of the best-of-three finals against University of Santo Tomas.
Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, left, and head coach Tab Baldwin hug each other after the Blue Eagles defeated the UST Growling Tigers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 82 Finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, November 20, 2019. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)
“The 16-0 season is really something that we dreamed about,” Baldwin said. “We didn’t talk a lot about it because we never wanted to set that as a goal. But I know that the players particularly dream about it.
“It is a dream season to go through unblemished, to be able to say to each one of those 16 days, no team was better than us.”
No team was indeed better than Ateneo this season, slaying its opponents with an average margin of 16.5 points.
Twice, UST came close to tainting Ateneo’s record – the second during the Eagles’ 86-79 Game 2 victory where the Tigers came breathtakingly close at 67-66 early in the fourth quarter.
But the Eagles responded to the challenge and came out victorious.
Baldwin said he has high respects for the Tigers and their coach, Aldin Ayo.
“What kind of fool would I be if I didn’t respect what he (Ayo) puts on the court?” he said.
“I think with all the teams that we’ve played, they’re (UST) probably the one team that tries to impose themselves on us. Most of the other teams were trying to defend themselves from us imposing ourselves on them, but Aldin and his team, they come out to attack.”
From left, Ateneo’s graduating players Isaac Go, Adrian Wong, Matt Nieto, Thirdy Ravena and Mike Nieto raise their arms and celebrate after defeating the UST Growling Tigers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 82 Finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, November 20, 2019. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)
With the battle over, Baldwin wants to savor the rewards and the time spent with his players, particularly graduating seniors Thirdy Ravena, Mike and Matt Nieto, Isaac Go and Adrian Wong.
“They’re special, incredible guys. I remember looking at them four years ago and thinking, these guys are going to lead this team into the future. These guys are my friends for life,” he said.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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