Photo by Mario T. Dagdag
As confetti fell onto the court of the Smart Araneta Coliseum moments after the Ateneo Blue Eagles clinched their fourth title last October, thoughts about a potential fifth championship already loomed at the back of the minds of the Ateneo community.
Eight months later and just a few weeks away from Season 75, talk about a five-peat is full-blown. Many are wondering whether this year’s Blue Eagles have what it takes to triumph once more.
History speaks
The year was 2002; the De La Salle Green Archers were on the verge of winning a fifth straight title. Standing in their way were the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Fighting their way up from a the third seed in the Final Four, the Blue Eagles pulled off an upset and beat their rivals in three games to claim the throne.
Ten years on, the Blue Eagles face the same scenario. This time they hope their fate will not be the same.
Championship pedigree
Ateneo is gifted with a good crop of players, but there is a difference between a talented team and a championship team.
With the graduation of key players Kirk Long, Bacon Austria and Emman Monfort, the Blue Eagles are quite short-handed. Head Coach Norman Black has taken the liberty to fill those voids. “It’s an ongoing process trying to replace those players,” says Black, “[but] I think we have enough talent to be able to fill in those absences.”
So far, Juami Tiongson and Tonino Gonzaga have been taking up their respective roles in preparation for July.
Fortunately, in terms of offense, Nico Salva, Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena reprise their roles as the main go-to men as they led the team in scoring last year.
Perhaps a crucial factor would be the return of Ryan Buenafe, the 2010 UAAP Finals MVP, who can provide the team with much needed experience. Other additions are rookies Gboy Babilonia, Isaac Lim, Kris Porter and Nico Elorde.
Role players Justin Chua, Oping Sumalinog, Von Pessumal, Gwyne Capacio, Frank Golla and JP Erram will also be called on to do their part. “We will give them their opportunity,” Black comments.
A parting gift
Ateneo’s current run of four championships would not have been possible without Black’s unique coaching philosophy. Ever since taking the reins, he has transformed the university’s basketball program and won four titles for Ateneo in seven years as head coach.
Earlier this year, however, it was announced that Black will be stepping down as head coach after the conclusion of this year’s UAAP basketball season.
That being said, the players feel it is only fitting that a title is an ideal gift for their beloved general. “We all want to help Coach Norman leave on a high note,” says Slaughter. “We don’t want to let him down.”
Personal convictions
Possibly the biggest drives are the ones that the players themselves possess—their desire to contribute to that One Big Fight for the Ateneo community.
“[Salva, Gonzaga and I]—we’re the only players that could get a chance to experience five straight [championships]” shares Chua.
“I just want to make the most out of it,” Salva says, “have my best season and graduate with five championships.”
“Hopefully it turns out the way we want it to be,” Tiongson adds, “[and] I will try my best to be as good as Emman, if not better.”
Putting convictions aside, only one thought is on their minds: winning the title.
“Of course, we are aiming for the highest possible result,” says Pessumal. “Winning that fifth championship is our goal.”
Much is at stake for the Blue Eagles this season, and they know it. While a fifth title will prove that the Ateneo is indisputably one of the best in the history of Philippine collegiate basketball, it is too early to gauge the outcome of the season.
Come July, all eyes will be on them, the targets on their backs will be bigger than it has ever been and everyone will be witness to history in the making. Although an end to the streak is possible, there is definitely reason to believe that the Ateneo is a strong championship contender.
With high hopes, the community can only pray that the confetti that will shower the MOA Arena this October will still be that of Blue and White.
