Ateneo wary of Nonoy

MARK Nonoy of UST will be a marked man in Game 2. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG @tribunephl_dvd

University of Santo Tomas (UST) may have fallen short, but Mark Nonoy drew the attention of Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin.

Baldwin, the prolific former Gilas Pilipinas head coach, said Nonoy gave them some serious problems during Game 1 of their Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament best-of-three finals series over the weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The peppery playmaker erupted for a career-high 26 points on top of five rebounds during their 77-91 loss to the Blue Eagles.

He was the lone man fighting against the great Ateneo defense until Thirdy Ravena took over and completely blew the game wide open.

In the end, Ravena delivered 32 points, five rebounds and three assists for the blue Eagles, who are just one win away from coming up with a perfect season.

“Mark Nonoy was obviously a problem for us — not for them,” said Baldwin, the American-Kiwi genius who led New Zealand to a deep run in the 2002 FIBA World Championships.

“He played a tremendous game and ran himself right into the ground.”

Baldwin said he expects a massive fightback when they clash with the Tigers anew in Game 2 at the same Pasay venue.

After all, UST head coach Aldin Ayo has a reputation of bouncing back strong using tenacious defense, outside shooting and running game.

“The only thing we have been talking about since we knew UST is that the teams that Aldin coaches don’t quit,” said Baldwin, who met Ayo in three of the past four finals showdowns.

“His team never backs down. And we expect them to go all out in Game 2.”