Bulldogs’ bite haunting Black in the wake of elimination

By Reuben Terrado
Business Mirror
October 2, 2007

Ateneo coach Norman Black admitted their loss to National U (NU) at the end of the elimination round made the difference in their campaign this season.

The Blue Eagles’ 65-60 loss to archrivals De La Salle Green Archers may have been disappointing for some but for Black, the loss to the Bulldogs was the most crucial.

“It [the loss against De La Salle] brings back the memories of losing to NU,” Black reflected yesterday. “If we won that game, it would have been an easier road. The loss made it more difficult. We had to play three games [to reach the finals]. “

Ateneo lost to also-ran NU in overtime, 96-88, on September 15. A win could have granted them the twice-to-beat edge in the stepladder phase.

Instead, they lost a playoff game against De La Salle (70-69) to be relegated to the No. 3 spot against defending champion University of Santo Tomas.

But they pulled off a string of victories, beating UST (69-64) and De La Salle (76-75) in come-from-behind fashion in Game One of their series to keep their finals bid alive.

Still, Black has expressed “satisfaction” over his team’s performance despite the loss.

“We had a good run. You guys [the media] had rated us around five or six. The team achieved more than what the experts say,” Black said.

“But losing, it will always be disappointing. Whether it is a pick-up game or any game for that matter, losing will always be disappointing. I always expect to win. Even more so against La Salle because we knew it was an opportunity for a finals berth.” Black added.

Ateneo is expected to have a solid lineup next season as the team will only be losing two key players—the much-improved Ford Arao and Australian Zion Laterre. Both are graduating.

“We are eyeing some players in the high-school division that will beef up our lineup,” said Black.

The Blue Eagles will compete in the Champions Cup slated October 28. A stint in the Philippine Basketball