Fans rightfully expect Jared Bahay and Kieffer Alas to lead the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament. But on Saturday, in a win over the Adamson Soaring Falcons, the Blue Eagles found an unlikely hero in Ian Espinosa, who came off the bench to spark Ateneo.
Espinosa finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal on a perfect 4‑for‑4 clip from the field to help Ateneo beat Adamson, 73‑68.
Ateneo Has Full Trust in Backcourt—Including Ian Espinosa
Ian Espinosa and his highly touted backcourt mates Bahay and Alas were all on the floor together down the stretch, when the Soaring Falcons rallied and threatened to steal the game away from Ateneo. But the trio of guards helped the Blue Eagles secure their second win of the season. Unsurprisingly, Espinosa was more than thankful to his coaches for trusting the team’s guards to run the offense.
“Before the game kasi, kinausap ako ni Coach Sandro [Soriano], he said ‘Let the game come to you’ and si Coach Gene [Afable], sabi niya since gusto ni Coach Louie [Alas] na sa amin ‘yung responsibility na nagpapatakbo ng offense,” Espinosa told Rebanse in an interview postgame. “So, I appreciate Coach Louie for trusting us and ‘yun lang din, hinahanap ko lang din ‘yung saan kami may advantage kanina as a team and siguro ‘yun lang. Buti na lang naka‑points, naka‑score kami dun.”
Alas, the highly fancied rookie, struggled offensively, scoring just 7 points while shooting 3‑of‑14 from the field. But Bahay and Espinosa picked up the slack, with Bahay tallying 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Espinosa delivering his own solid game.
Pass‑First Offense
While he scored in double digits, Ian Espinosa emphasized that Ateneo’s offense is the pass‑first kind where players let scoring opportunities come to them rather than look for them actively.
“Sinasabi ko palagi sa team namin na dapat ‘yung points ‘yung maghahanap sa amin, hindi kami ‘yung maghahanap ng points kasi mas maganda kung iniikot namin ‘yung bola, nagkakaroon kami ng opportunities,” he added.
Against Adamson, the ball found Ian Espinosa repeatedly, and he took full advantage. If he continues on this trajectory, he might just have a banner year this Season 89.
