Ateneo’s Kristian Porter. Photo from UAAP Media

MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University showed end-game composure in their faceoff against National University on Sunday.

The Blue Eagles staved off a late fightback attempt by the Bulldogs and escaped with a 70-68 victory for their second win in UAAP Season 87, and one of those who made this possible was rookie Kristian Porter.     

READ: Jared Bahay, Kris Porter power Ateneo over National U for second win

The 6-foot-5 Cebuano made a crucial basket to extend the Eagles' lead to three, 68-65, with under 30 seconds left in the game, and he also stopped Jake Figueroa's attempt to close in on Ateneo in the following possession through a rejection.

These, according to Porter, were just a matter of him living up to what he was asked to deliver for the Katipunan-based team, and stressed that his numbers were just a byproduct of his work on both ends of the floor. 

"My mindset coming into the game was to just do my job," said Kristian, who contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, for the Tab Baldwin-mentored squad.

"It was to help the team no matter how, and just play through the system. The points just came, the rebounds, everything else," he shared. 

Porter was not the lone young gun who did wonders for Ateneo.

Alongside him was his fellow rookie Jared Bahay who scattered 12 markers, six boards, five dimes, and a steal, and he mirrored his fellow Cebuano's sentiments on what powered his all-around outing against National U. 

Ateneo’s Jared Bahay. Photo from UAAP Images.

"Ina-accept ko lang na kahit rookies kami, may duties kami sa team," said Bahay. "We're gonna bring this forward to our coming games and we're gonna play it game by game. Sabi ni nga Ports, no matter our standing, we’re still there, and coming to the game, we're well prepared. And we're gonna finish strong."

It's not a coincidence that the young Eagles have stood out amid a down year for the Ateneo basketball program.

Aside from their roots in Cebu, Porter and Bahay were also stars for Sacred Heart School-Ateneo Magis Blue Eagles, and this, according to Bahay, is indeed a factor as to why they play well together.

"Me and Ports have been teammates since grade school," Jared bared. "We know each other well. I know how he moves, he knows how I move. And so that relationship really helped us."

"He knows the back of my hand the way I know the back of his hand. I know his tendencies, he knows mine, so that's how we just connect and bring that chemistry," added Porter.

And with these, Baldwin is now challenging the two Eagles to translate their rich history into wins for Ateneo. 

"They're both good players, but I think that the question that is appropriate to talk about is potential. There's still a lot more promise than there is production," said Baldwin. "Their job is to listen to the coaches and to evolve their game so that there will be, in the future, more production."

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. Photo from UAAP Images.

"It is important that these guys understand how important their leadership qualities are, but we have to believe that if we're going to have the kind of culture that Kristian was talking about, we want that culture to reflect in Ateneo."

"Both of these guys have the educational background, they have the leadership background, and I think they have the character to grow in that role as well. That's going to be extremely important if we want to try and get this program back to where it has been in recent years," he added.

Fortunately, his two young aces are ready to take on the weight of what Coach Tab wants them to do. 

"Pressure is never gonna go away, especially being a rookie, playing heavy minutes, but I don't really let it get to my head," said Porter. "Coach Tab, all the coaches, and teammates, they put their trust in me. I can't let them down so wherever I'm needed, whatever they need me to do gonna produce, provide, and do it no matter what."

"For mine, last night I saw a post that says pressure is a privilege. So that's it," added Bahay. "I'd say more than 100% hungry, so we're going to start again in practice tomorrow. We're going to win in our practices and let it bring us up in our games."

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