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[av_heading heading=’Coach Baldwin hits Ateneo’s ‘inexperience’ in Game 1 loss ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Ateneo Blue Eagles’ lack of composure down the stretch caused them to squander a 10-point fourth quarter lead en route to a 62-61 loss to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball semifinals.
Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin said that his team’s inexperience was the culprit in their series-opener loss to the defending champion Tamaraws last Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“I think we didn’t play with the sort of composure and experience that we think we have developed over the course of the season. It got away from us in the 4th quarter and we paid the price,” Baldwin said.
“They took the 4th quarter away from us, they played good FEU basketball, very aggressive on the offensive boards attacking the rim, they shot 17 free throws in the 4th quarter and had 7 offensive rebounds, that’s FEU basketball,” he added.
The Blue Eagles seemed headed for a finals seat after building a 49-39 lead following seven straight points by Aaron Black, but the Tamaraws leaned on Raymar Jose, Prince Orizu and Monbert Arong to tie the score at 55-all.
A close range jumper and free throws by Arong gave the Tamaraws a 60-55 lead. After a triple by Blue Eagles’ Thirdy Ravena to cut the deficit to 60-58, Ron Dennison iced the Tamaraws’ win with two free throws.
“We have to make sure that won’t happen again (on Wednesday),” Baldwin said. “Another game we might shoot a higher percentage and that tactic wouldn’t be successful for them but in this game it was. We’ll be ready for that next time.”
With its twice-to-beat advantage, the Blue Eagles only needs one win to advance to the best-of-three finals beginning on Dec. 3 where top-seed De La Salle University Green Archers is waiting./PN
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