THE ATENEO Blue Eagles wasted no time in their rebuilding efforts as they secured the commitments of Grayson Rogers, Jelo Rota, Alden Cainglet, and Lars Fjellvang.
Kicking off the busy offseason for the Blue Eagles, it was reported that the Loyola Heights-based program secured the commitment of 6’3” Filipino-American guard Rogers last November 29th. Hailing from Ritenour High School, Rogers averaged 20 and 14 points per game in his junior and senior years of high school, respectively. The Missouri native is a versatile and skilled two-way player, excelling on both offense and defense.
Following the footsteps of Magis Eagles alumni Jared Bahay, Kristian Porter, and Michael Asoro, Sacred Heart standouts Rota, Cainglet, and Fjellvang have also decided to continue their collegiate careers with the Blue and White. After playing pivotal parts in the Magis Eagles’ record-breaking eighth Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) high school championship, the trio announced their intent to play for the Blue Eagles earlier today.
Rota, a 6’ 6” forward, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, stating, “I never imagined that an island boy from Bantayan would be able to reach this far. What was once a dream has now become a reality.” Gaining experience in the 2023 National Basketball Association’s Basketball Without Borders Asia camp, Rota adds depth to Ateneo’s wing rotation, which has been weakened by the departures of former captains Sean Quitevis and Chris Koon.
Meanwhile, Fjellvang is expected to bolster Ateneo’s frontcourt unit, which has seen instability since the departure of Ange Kouame after Season 85. “It’s been my dream to play in the UAAP, especially under Coach Tab,” said the 6’ 7” Filipino-Norwegian center who brings valuable size and strength to the team.
Rounding up the recent acquisitions by the Blue Eagles is outgoing Magis Eagles Team Captain Cainglet. The 6’ 3” guard provides more depth in the position and shared his enthusiasm for playing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) as well as the Ateneo program.
“Playing in [the] UAAP has been my dream since I started playing basketball and I’m very excited for this new journey, especially [now] that I’ll be in the Ateneo Blue Eagles,” the CESAFI champion guard expressed.
The four newest Blue Eagles are eligible to suit up for Ateneo starting Season 88. With the long UAAP offseason having yet to officially start, more moves can be expected out of the Ateneo basketball program as they pursue a return to glory in the upcoming UAAP campaign.
