From the Sidelines is a feature series that seeks to profile talented individuals who work behind the scenes in contributing to the greater success of Ateneo sports. In this fourteenth installment, we take a look at Adolfo Dacanay, SJ, and his years of support for Ateneo sports.

A FAMILIAR face in the crowd during basketball games of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Adolfo Dacanay, SJ is a consistent image of unquestionable passion and support for the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team (AMBT). In UAAP Season 82 alone, the Ateneo community remembers him wearing blue and white while waving a broom at the Mall of Asia Arena to celebrate the team’s historic sweep.

When it comes to the day-to-day, Father Dacanay could be spotted checking papers amid ball games—a sign of his dedication as both the “Father Dacanay” Ateneans know as well as the Blue Eagles superfan.

A legend for legends

With an established role and reputation, Father Dacanay has been a staple name in the Loyola Schools, especially among students taking theology classes. However, his recognizable passion does not stop in teaching, as he is also dedicated to cheering for the AMBT during UAAP matches.

From only occasionally watching basketball games, Father Dacanay’s interest in the team was sparked by the championship-clinching performance of former Blue Eagle Nonoy Baclao. “For the longest time, I was not watching at all. Until one day, I went to watch Nonoy Baclao. I really liked his game, so that is how I got interested,” Father Dacanay said.

Nurturing a stronger dedication to the team, Father Dacanay’s admiration of the Blue Eagles is rooted in the heart and sportsmanship they pour into their games. In particular, Father Dacanay remembers former King Eagle Kiefer Ravena’s refined attitude on the court that complements the intensity of the sport.

“When someone falls to the ground, whether it is his teammate or not, [Kiefer Ravena] is always ready to help. It does not weaken the physical character of the game, but there’s a certain Christian, gentlemanliness in it. I like that part of the Ateneo temper,” he said.

In addition to the team’s sportsmanlike disposition, the thrilling action and competitiveness of the sport—coupled with the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd that radiates in the whole arena—never fails to entertain Father Dacanay. For him,  participating in loud cheers with fellow Ateneans to spur the Blue Eagles on is what makes basketball all the more exciting.

Aside from the AMBT, Father Dacanay also watches and supports Ateneo’s football and volleyball teams in his free time. However, as much as possible, he tries to strike a balance between his interest in these different sports and his professorial responsibilities. For Father Dacanay, it helps that the basketball and volleyball competitions are scheduled in different semesters as this allows him to support these teams without compromising his other responsibilities.

Witnessing excellence

As an avid fan of the Blue Eagles, Father Dacanay has witnessed some of the AMBT’s brightest and most memorable moments on the court. For instance, one of the milestones he fondly remembers is the team’s 16-0 run back in UAAP Season 82, which was also the first time in UAAP history that a men’s basketball team went through a whole season undefeated. Throughout the season, Father Dacanay would leave either the Mall of Asia Arena or the Smart Araneta Coliseum glowing with pride over the Ateneo team’s consecutive wins.

In addition to that particular 16-0 season, Father Dacanay also recalls various games that went down to the wire, including when former Blue Eagles Emman Monfort and Kiefer Ravena got crucial stops and made baskets that resulted in a close victory in Season 73. Father Dacanay said of that game, “Even [when] we were behind, we were playing our hearts [out]. We did not lose heart. It was a very heartwarming win.”

In seeing and witnessing these memorable milestones of the Blue Eagles, Father Dacanay believes that the AMBT style of play and team-first mentality is the reason for their continued excellence on the hardwood. In addition, he is also fascinated by how the respect for the coaching system complemented by the team’s discipline is manifest in the AMBT’s execution of every game. “I like the way they play because they are very disciplined. They have a plan [and] they have a system. It’s not a bara-bara (messy) sort of thing,” he shared.

Unending support

Attending the games is not the only way Father Dacanay pours out his support for the Blue Eagles. Before the pandemic, he would invite his colleagues in the Theology Department to attend the cheer rallies at the Blue Eagle Gym. In addition to this, he also keeps in touch with the players and congratulates them on their victories.

Fueled by his love for the game, Father Dacanay is also known for including bonus questions relating to the UAAP in his tests, asking questions that newspapers and boxscores cannot usually answer.“That’s a part of getting them interested: If not to watch the games live, at least to watch the replay or to get them [to] makialam (be involved) also,” he stated.

Throughout the highs and lows that the Blue Eagles experience, Father Dacanay has remained dedicated to giving his ardent support to those who don the Blue and White. As the years have progressed, it is safe to say that Father Dacanay’s loyalty to Ateneo sports has never been in doubt. With the AMBT seeking another title in Season 84, Father Dacanay will make sure to cheer the team on from start to finish.

As his unwavering dedication to the team continues, Father Dacanay still reminds present and future Atenean student-athletes about what it means to represent the Loyola Schools–pursuing excellence both in the classroom and in the field of play, no matter the sport.

“We always say we want our athletes to finish. We want our athletes to graduate, and I thought that expresses the values, not just of the school, but even of the athletic program,” he shared.