Low PH but high Alkalinity

[Wdmeadows]

I have a 15x24 oval pool - above ground, 8500 gallons. I tested the water and added Baking soda to bring up the Alkalinity and now the alkalinity is 180 but the PH is 7.2. Note: it rained the same day as the water was added and was slippery (signs of growth) so, I did add some shock at that time, only a little bit.
Have I messed up the balance too much by doing that ?- new pool owner and realise now I should have focussed on the alkalinity without shock first.
What should I do now?
Need to bring the alkalinity down 30 ppm currently and the ph is 7.2 - have added chlorine stabilizer as well. Have stopped adding chems and the numbers are consistent for the past 72 hours. Chlorine is at 0 - both as I haven't added any chlorine yet.
Should I try to bring down the alkalinity or just focus on getting the ph to 7.5... ie is 180 ppm alkalinity too high?

[Teapot1]

Well you didnt need to add the baking soda, vinyl pools are quite happy with lower alkalinity and that also reduces pH rises. Usually run mine around 45-60 ppm Alk and dont need to add pH minus.
Just because the stupid pool industry tells you it must be a certain level which is really for plaster/tiled pools.
Just add the chlorine immediately, that will take the pH up as chlorine has a high pH. Slippery sides need a brushing and by the sound of it a shock, properly this time. Dont worry about the pH rising during shocking, it only temporary and will fall back as the chlorine level reduces. pH can be anywhere between 7.2 and 8 without any major issues when CYA is present as that has the biggest control over the chlorine more than pH does. What is your CYA level, its the most crucial thing controlling your pool.