UAAP: Coach Louie takes blame for Kieffer, Ateneo’s struggles vs. La Salle

Ateneo de Manila University head coach Louie Alas (left) and rookie Kieffer Alas (#1) against De La Salle University in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball. UAAP Media.MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University ran out of gas as it succumbed to rival De La Salle University, and Blue Eagles head coach Louie Alas took responsibility for their loss.

“I failed to motivate them to play smart,” said Alas after their 83-76 loss to the Green Archers in the first round of UAAP Season 89 on Wednesday. “They prepared well against us, and siguro, lack of preparation for us.”

After a back-and-forth affair in the first 35 minutes, Ateneo saw the sweet-shooting Jacob Cortez take charge and fire eight of his 12 points in the final quarter after struggling earlier in the match.

Alas explained that it was a matter of his crew failing to sustain their energy, the same reason why they also succumbed to University of the Philippines, 94-75, earlier in the season.

“La Salle played the whole 40 minutes, kami three quarters lang,” lamented Alas. “Parang kami yung pagod na pagod. It happened against UP, it happened again today, so we have to check on that.”

The veteran mentor added that the Blue Eagles also went too high after their 87-76 comeback win over National University on Saturday, saying that showing signs of complacency is costly especially when up against the defending champions.

“Na-overwhelm kami nung panalo nung last game,” rued Alas. “This is not the team against NU, and for that, kailangan pa naming mag-usap, kasi nawala talaga yung sharpness namin.”

But above all, Alas cited La Salle’s defense — particularly against Kieffer Alas and Jared Bahay — as the biggest reason for Ateneo’s struggles.

“Malaking factor yun,” said the elder Alas, as his son shot 2-of-11 while Bahay went just 5-of-13. “Going to this game, I was positive. Pero sobra nga yung pag-prepara nila, super sharp ng La Salle, and first time nilang pinag-sabay yung mga guard nila against us.”

“Si Kieffer naman, in-allow niya na i-top-lock siya,” he added. “If you stop Kieffer and Jared, more than half of the job is done, so we need to arrest that.”

But just as he took the blame for their miscues, the elder Alas also took responsibility for correcting their course and recovering from the setback.

“Hindi talaga siya iniiwan kahit wala siyang bola, so sabi niya: ‘Dad, may mali ako dyan.’ Sabi ko, no. We will talk about it kung ano maganda, kasi sila ni Jared ang laging point of defense ng kalaban,” said Coach Louie.