Tyler Tio could only feel the relief after leading Ateneo's third quarter barrage to take a 79-70 win against Far Eastern University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Tuesday, March 29.
Tio erupted for a game-high 17 points, all coming from the third quarter where he also fired four key triples that served as a momentum-changer for Ateneo.
The 5-foot-11 guard also sparked the Blue Eagles' 15-3 run in the third period to create a comfortable 21-point cushion, 63-42, before the Tamaraws charged back with a 10-0 blitz midway through the fourth period.
Given his role, Tio is expected to shoot his shot. And that's exactly what he did all thanks to the trust and support from his teammates.
"I guess, I was just lucky that my shots finally went it and just thankful for my teammates because they believe in me," said Tio. "Even though I struggled in the past during the first game and during our tune-up games, they still kept telling me just keep shooting your shot and thankfully, today it went it."
In their win against University of the Philippines, 90-81, on opening day last March 26, Tio was limited to five points on a dismal 1-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc with two assists, and one steal.
This time around, the challenge imposed by FEU, led by its guards RJ Abarrientos, Royce Alforque, and LJ Gonzales, added more fire for Tio to step up.
"It was definitely a challenge because everyone knows what RJ can do. The guards especially they would have to step our game against him. Not just him but also LJ and Royce," said the 24-year old Tio.
"e just wanted to step up most especially defensively, and you know offense we just have to run the system and ever gets the shots then so be it."