Humblebola

By: Dr. Eriko C. dela Cruz

The Ateneo Blue Eagles were in an unfamiliar position in season 87, placing eighth for the first time since the Final Four era, missing the Final Four for the first time since Season 76. Now it’s up to head coach Tab Baldwin and the current crop of BEBOB to pull themselves out of the cellar.

Ateneo’s lineup was severely undersized last season, relying on 6’4″ now-Growling Tiger Kristian Porter to play center. It did not help that the roster got its biggest blow weeks before the season started, when Mason Amos did a Luis Figo and transferred to La Salle. The Blue Eagles had to rely on sophomore Shawn Tuano and a rookie Jared Bahay to turn things around. All these setbacks became too difficult for the team to overcome, meaning Captains Sean Quitevis and Chris Koon graduated from collegiate basketball not with a bang, but a whimper.

FOCUS IN MOTION

This season, the addition of rookie FSA Divine Adili and one-and-done Kymani Ladi adds more firepower and potential to the Blue Eagles. Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu boys Jelo Rota, Lars Fjellvang also help beef up the frontline, while Alden Cainglet slots in to give them some much-needed shooting. One-and-dones Jaden Lazo and Dom Escobar were listed as guards in the US, but at 6’5, they can both easily work as wingmen in the Tab Baldwin system.

The preseason also gave a glimpse of the improvements Ian Espinosa, Kyle Gamber, and Joshua Lazaro have made since the last season. Shawn Tuano and Drew Bongo are expected to show more leadership and skill, with one year of experience under their belts. Also returning is Lebron Nieto, which provides additional depth and range to the point guard spot.

Prediction: The Ateneo Blue Eagles return to the Final Four

Result:

Best case scenario: runners-up

Worst case scenario: eliminated in the Final Four

Banner photo not owned by HumbleBola. Taken from: https://www.facebook.com/share/19UKpSFDCq/