UAAP Season 89 is only a few weeks away, and much of the focus among fans is on how the Ateneo Blue Eagles will perform in the men’s basketball tournament.
The best place to catch an early glimpse of them is in the ongoing Pinoyliga Cup “The Big Dance” tournament.
It came as a major surprise that Ateneo would be competing in the tournament, as there had been no rumors about their involvement. Many expected the team to make its first public appearance when the UAAP season began.
Ateneo Embraces a More Aggressive Style Under Louie Alas
Ateneo’s first game against the Our Lady of Fatima University Phoenix on August 16 revealed how much the team has changed under head coach Louie Alas.
Playing with greater defensive intensity and picking up their opponents full-court on nearly every possession, the Blue Eagles barely allowed OLFU to breathe.
Ateneo was led by its top guards, third-year star Jared Bahay and fourth-year guard Ian Espinosa.
The Blue Eagles still ran set plays on offense, but their attack had a more free-flowing feel. One-and-done reinforcement Travis Roberts provided a strong example, scoring 17 points against the Phoenix to help Ateneo secure a 71–60 victory.
Kieffer Alas Leads Ateneo’s Comeback Against CSB
This past Sunday brought Ateneo its toughest challenge yet as the Blue Eagles faced the CSB Blazers in a thrilling matchup.
Down by as many as 13 points, Ateneo needed something special to survive the Blazers’ hot shooting, led by Matthew Jucom and Mowell Morales.
The answer came from rookie sensation Kieffer Alas, who poured in 26 points. His performance included two clutch three-pointers in the second half and a game-sealing layup with only seconds remaining, as the uber-athletic SJ Moore chased him down from behind.
Aside from the players already mentioned, another standout was Alden Cainglet.
While the box score shows that he scored only five points, Cainglet made his biggest impact by shifting the momentum in Ateneo’s favor. He drew three charges, each coming at a different point in the game when CSB appeared ready to pull away.
Ateneo completed the comeback with an 81–78 victory.
The Blue Eagles will return to action on Saturday, August 29, when they compete for a place in the semifinals.
Based on what Ateneo has shown so far, don’t be surprised if the Blue Eagles shock the UAAP and make a run at the Final Four.
