Ateneo struggles in second half, falls to DLSU with 0-3 record

Ateneo de Manila University suffered its worst start since over a decade with a loss to De La Salle University on Sunday, dropping their record to 0-3.

After a competitive first half where they scored 40 points against DLSU, Ateneo struggled in the second half, scoring only four points in the third quarter.

Head coach Tab Baldwin attributed their poor performance to an overreliance on three-point shots and a lack of offensive fluidity, emphasizing that his young team is still figuring things out.

Baldwin admitted that the team's passivity in the third quarter was a psychological issue rather than tactical or ability-related, noting that they tried various strategies including extended halftime warm-ups to address this.

Ateneo will face Adamson University on Saturday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, with veteran Chris Koon expected to return from injury soon.