It took Ateneo coach Norman Black more than an hour before emerging from the dugout, surprisingly with hardly a trace of dejection following a painful loss to La Salle that spoiled the Eagles’ bid for a second straight UAAP championship appearance.
“We had a good run, we’re maybe a couple of jump shots away from the finals,” Black said.
Plus a couple of defensive rebounds which the Eagles failed to control in the closing minute that, for many, hastened their downfall.
But Black wanted to put Season 70 behind them even as he looked forward to a brighter future for the Eagles.
Black, who came into the Ateneo fold three years ago, said he’s looking forward to tapping new recruits, possibly guys who can fill the void left by Ford Arao, the league’s Most Improved Player, and Australian Zion Laterre.
Among the recruits the Eagles are setting their sights on are NCAA high school MVP Ryan Buenafe of San Sebastian and the equally talented Nicholas Salva of San Beda.
“We’ll have two guys coming out so we’re looking to get some talented recruits who can fill in the void,” he said.
La Salle coach Franz Pumaren observed Ateneo looked tired, particularly its main man Chris Tiu, who made the biggest shots in a 76-75 win Thursday that forced the sudden death.
“He (Tiu) looked tired, the whole Ateneo team looked tired,” Pumaren said.
“I don’t want to speculate about it, I’m still proud of my boys because they’ve accomplished a lot. As far as I can remember, you guys didn’t give us a chance to make it this far.”
As the record 23,319 fans – the biggest ever in local basketball – left the Big Dome with Black as one the last, the Ateneo mentor disappeared into the night with hopes of coming back next year and nailing the one he’s still chasing despite winning 10 titles in 17 PBA seasons – a collegiate crown.