Ateneo opens up slots left by three graduating stars, and suppose tank sees no scarcity in expertise

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Ateneo’s basketball program continues to be one of the crucial formidable within the nation, by no means failing to domesticate a gradual stream of expertise each season which has resulted in a dominant string of championships within the UAAP.

There gained’t be something totally different by way of staff power when the Blue Eagles defend the crown subsequent yr regardless of witnessing the exodus of three principal cogs that helped ship one other title within the yr that simply handed.

Finals MVP Ange Kouame, wingman Dave Ildefonso and marksman BJ Andrade have all exited Ateneo’s evolving participant manufacturing facility, however the void they’ve left shall be amply full of the glut of expertise that continues to be on the market for the Eagles to select from.

“We have plenty of recruits coming in subsequent yr. In our program, we don’t mess around with the reality and the reality is, if you wish to be a Blue Eagle subsequent yr, you must battle on your spot,’’ stated Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin simply after the din of celebration for the Season 85 championship was about to die down.

According to Ateneo staff supervisor Epok Quimpo, it’s a cutthroat competitors among the many gamers within the Blue Eagles’ 28-man pool to land these spots with three to 4 recruits able to occupy the voids that opened up.

Mason Amos shall be sporting a unique form of blue-and-white —FIBA

Filipino-Americans Andrew Bongo, Jared Brown and Fil-Aussie Mason Amos could possibly be suiting up as rookies in Season 86, and the addition of Nigerian 6-foot-10 middle Joseph Obasa as Ateneo’s international student-athlete could possibly be a worthy alternative for the naturalized Kouame.

“His [Obasa] constructed is nearly the identical as Ange. But whereas Ange has an all-around skillset, Joseph particularly performs his function as an enormous man,’’ stated Quimpo.

“To be trustworthy, it’s onerous to foretell as soon as he goes on the market, however I suppose he can compete,’’ added Quimpo.

Worthy sub

Obasa subbed for the 6-foot-11 Kouame throughout their championship run within the World University Basketball Series in Tokyo, Japan, as Kouame was resting an injured knee.

Bongo is a 6-foot-4 wingman who performed in Los Angeles, California, whereas Brown is a seasoned level guard from a California NCAA division 2 faculty and he’s anticipated to share the minutes with beginning courtroom basic and Mythical Team member, Forthsky Padrigao, and off-the-bench playmaker Vince Gomez.

But the most important catch of all of them could possibly be the 6-foot-7 Amos, who led the Gilas Pilipinas youth squad throughout the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Under-18 Asian Championships in Tehran, Iran 4 months in the past.

Gifted with a multi-dimensional offensive armory, the 18-year-old Amos can shoot from the surface with ease, easily drive to the lane and barrel his approach within the paint.

Amos is hands-down probably the most promising from among the many present crop of Batang Gilas, having served discover of his would possibly within the continent after averaging a pace-setting 24.3 factors per recreation on prime of 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals throughout the Fiba match.

Obasa, who already connected with the Blue Eagles even earlier than the pandemic struck three years in the past, shall be eligible to go well with up for the blue-and-white for a minimum of two extra seasons whereas Amos, a recent select of highschool, has a protracted collegiate stint forward of him.

These guys ought to assist maintain the fort for Ateneo’s title protection subsequent season together with Kai Ballungay, Chris Koon, Joshua Lazaro, Matt Daves, Anton Quitevis, Geo Chiu, Padrigao, Gomez and shooter Paul Garcia.

“The future is all the time unsure. But I do know these guys they usually’re fighters,’’ stated Baldwin, who will spend the brand new yr within the United States and return to the nation earlier than coaching resumes Jan. 11.

Heading abroad

Kouame, the Season 84 MVP who gained three championships with Ateneo, is about to go underneath the knife to appropriate his knee issues, however not after suiting up for a Philippine aspect that can play within the Dubai Invitational late this month.

Ildefonso, son of two-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) MVP and basketball legend Danny Ildefonso, is bringing his expertise abroad and sources stated he could be suiting up with Suwon KT Sonicboom within the Korean Basketball League.

“They’ll all play professionally. I feel that they may see various paths for them. Ange, after all, can’t play within the PBA, however he’s going to be adequate to play as an import. We’ll must try to determine tips on how to assist him together with his future,’’ stated Baldwin.

“Maybe [he could play] in Europe, perhaps in Japan the place I feel he’s adequate to play an import function over there. He nonetheless has work to do in his offensive recreation, however he’s gonna be a professional for an additional 10 to 12 years,’’ added Baldwin.

Outgoing stars (from left) Dave Ildefonso, Ange Kouame, and BJ Andrada shall be cheering the Ateneo championship bids from the sidelines beginning this yr —PHOTOS BY UAAP

Andrade, who magnificently signed off from his collegiate stint after pulling down the all-important free throws of their Game 3 victory, could be a prized discover for coaches within the massive leagues.

“If you desire a winner in your staff, you desire a man who might defend, shoot the ball, no matter you say or run brick partitions for you and love his teammates, get BJ Andrade,’’ stated Baldwin.

Coach Tab Baldwin and patron Manny V. Pangilinan will proceed plotting extra titles

Staying ready

Ateneo now owns 12 UAAP titles in males’s basketball after successful 10 of their 15 finals appearances in a span of 21 seasons. Baldwin has steered the Blue Eagles in capturing their final 4 championships contained in the final six seasons.

Ateneo’s current conquest was a championship conquer the UP Fighting Maroons in one other basic Game 3, no-tomorrow titular showdown.

The day by day practices of the Blue Eagles are usually held late within the afternoon for 4 hours, together with weight coaching or a viewing session.

But since there’s no match looming on the horizon, weights coaching shall be in depth in lieu of a daily viewing in a classroom-type setup.

“We’d like to hitch all native tournaments and if potential, we hope to play once more within the Jones Cup,’’ stated Quimpo.

The Blue Eagles noticed motion within the 2018 William Jones Cup in Taipei, subbing for Gilas when it was getting ready for an additional Fiba-sanctioned match.

Part of Ateneo’s buildup for Season 86 is the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup in June or July earlier than defending the World University Basketball Series title in early August previous to the Fiba World Cup 2023 that the Philippines shall be cohosting with Japan and Indonesia.

“We usually maintain a coaching camp exterior of the nation. We went to Israel this yr, however we now have but to determine the place to go subsequent yr. We’ve been planning, however nothing is concrete but,’’ stated Quimpo.

Preparations for the UAAP will go full blast after the Fiba World Cup and the Blue Eagles are absolutely conscious that everyone shall be after that shiny crown on their heads.

And like what they’ve performed within the earlier season, they’re ensuring that they’re as much as the problem. INQ