BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
DAYDREAMING is not a deadly sin.
Ask any member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, including their revered coach Tab Baldwin if they dreamed of a perfect flight this season.
Certainly the answer is ‘yes’.
The Eagles realized that dream Wednesday after they weathered off the determined challenge of the University of Santo Tomas Tigers in Game 2 of their title series for an 86-79 win before another mammoth crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Apart from achieving a three-peat, the Eagles made their title win sweeter by completing a 16-0 sweep.
“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.”
So dominant were the Eagles they posted an average winning margin of 16.5 points.
The Eagles’ resolve, however, were tested during the exhilarating Game 2 when the Tigers pulled to within 67-66 early in the fourth quarter.
But the Eagles responded to the challenge and came out victorious.
Baldwin has high respect 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 tried 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.”
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.