MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga sounded like the Blue Eagles are trailing in their UAAP Season 81 finals series against University of the Philippines.
The former Ateneo forward called on his fellow Ateneans to support their alma mater in Game Two on Wednesday after UP fans, supporters and alumni outnumbered their counterparts in the series opener last Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Ang ganda ng atmosphere. It was a very good game. A lot of people watched. We’re the defending the men’s basketball championship but I’d like to give a shout out to Ateneans. We also have to defend our sixth man pagdating sa crowd,” said Arespacochaga.
Ateneo beat UP in Game 1, 88-79, but the latter clearly prevailed in terms of percentage of the crowd.
And Arespacochaga took notice of the disparity that’s why he’s asking all the Ateneans to support the school in the potential title-clinching Game Two.
“That does not mean na kahit outnumbered kami (in Game One), we knew kahit 10 lang sila, lalaban ang crowd namin,” he said.
“But we want to extend our invitation to the Ateneans to watch the game live on Wednesday. Iba ang feeling kapag nandoon ka. We would want you to feel that you are part of this team. So, we want you be there,” he added.
Arepascochaga hopes the Araneta Coliseum management can expand the capacity of the venue in Game Two as he expects the supporters of both schools to fill the big Dome up to the rafters.
“Malapit lang ang Araneta sa UP at Ateneo. That’s home for both schools,” he said.