Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Shawn Tuaño Shines in World University Basketball Series
Ateneo’s defense of the World University Basketball Series championship ended in fourth place after a close loss to Radford University of the United States. Despite the defeat, the Ateneo Blue Eagles showed significant improvement compared to their disastrous performance in the previous game.
Coach Tab Baldwin’s strategic adjustments paid off as the Eagles played a much better game against Radford, despite being down by 23 points in the third quarter. They mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, coming within six points of their opponents multiple times, but ultimately fell short due to a couple of poor decisions.
Baldwin emphasized the importance of these tough preseason games and tournaments in learning from opponents. While disappointed with the result, he acknowledged the valuable lessons the team gained from the experience. He stressed the need for self-critique and improvement as they prepare for the upcoming UAAP Senior Basketball season.
Mason Amos was the standout performer for Ateneo, contributing 22 points, while Kai Ballungay was the only other player in double digits. Radford, a Division 1 NCAA team, started strong and maintained their lead throughout the game, with Chandler Turner, Kyle Burns, and Kenyon Giles leading the scoring.
The Ateneo squad will return to Manila on Monday and enjoy a few days off before resuming training. They are scheduled for a team-building session in Cebu later in the week. Coach Baldwin and his staff will carefully select the final roster for the UAAP, a decision that always brings anxiety for the team.
During the World University Basketball Series, several rookies, including Shawn Tuaño, Lebron Nieto, and Andrew Bongo, showcased their skills and made significant contributions. Joseph Obasa, who will replace Ange Kouame as Ateneo’s foreign student athlete, had a standout performance in one game but struggled in the other two. However, Baldwin remains patient and supportive of Obasa’s potential for growth.
In conclusion, despite their fourth-place finish in the tournament, Ateneo displayed improvements and valuable learning experiences. They will use these lessons to strengthen their team for the upcoming UAAP season.
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