BLUE EAGLES going for their fourth title

ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY Blue Eagles

UAAP Season 82 (2019) record: 16-0 (CHAMPION; beat UST in the Finals 2-0)

Coach: Tab Baldwin (5^th Season)

Subtractions (exhausted plaing years): Thirdy Ravena, Matthew Nieto, Mike Nieto, Isaac Go,

Decommitted (forgoes playing year/s): Adrian Wong, Will Navarro, Patrick Maagdenberg

 

Holdovers: Angelo Kouame, SJ Belangel, Tyler Tio, Gian Mamuyac, BJ Andrade, Troy Mallillin, Jason Credo, Geo Chiu,

Returnees: Raffy Verano, Jolo Mendoza,

Additions

Transferees: Dave Ildefonso,

Team B:  RV Berjay, Jacob Lao 

Rookies: Chris Koon (JW HS USA), Gabriel Gomez (Italy), Forthsky Padrigao (AHS), Joshua Lazaro (AHS), Kyle Ong (Jubilee), Sean Qetevis (Paref)

What might have been: Dwight Ramos, Eli Ramos,

 

Background: The Blue Eagles are coming off their most dominant season under the multi-titled Tab Baldwin era. In the Finals, they swept UST, beating them decisively 91-77 in game one then swept the league via 86-79 conquest of the Tigers to win their third straight title.

Key changes: 

Ateneo is losing the core of three-peat squad as Thirdy Ravena, Matthew Nieto, Mike Nieto & Isaac Go all exhausting their eligibility while Adrian Wong and Will Navarro opted to forego their final year. Lastly, Pat Maagdenberg,s contributions will also be missed.

Good thing the Eagles have a deep pool of talents.  SJ Belangel & Tyler Tio are set at the point Guard position while Jolo Mendoza & Raffy Verano returns to give the Eagles an impeccable shooter and experienced banger.

Angelo Kouame will still man the middle and Dave Ildefonso most probably use this season to propel himself to superstar status. Intriguing rookies are Fil-Am Chris Koon and Fil-Italian Gabriel Gomez while Forthsky Padrigao & Joshua Lazaro should make a good transition from Juniors to this Seniors squad. 

 

Outlook: 

The three-peat teams showed exceptional defense and this year’s Blue Eagles are still without a doubt defensively sound. Much improved Ivorian turned Filipino Angelo Kuoame anchors the Blue Eagle defense with Gian Mamuyac as the Blue Eagles’ best defensive player overall with Jason Credo & Joshua Lazaro getting their baptism of fire on some assignments. Their offense will most likely come from the inside with Kouame, Ildefonso, Daves, Mallillin, Verano & Geo Chiu scoring on plays & putbacks. The shooting of Mendoza, Tio, Belangel & Andrade will be complemented by rookies Gomez & Padrigao.

Lastly, the main ingredient that makes the Blue Eagles invincible is that they move as a team. Their offense is well orchestrated, individual defense is good and team defense is exceptional.

 

Prognosis: 

Ateneo is the team to beat this year. The title is theirs to lose. They have the most returning players, have a good Coach with an excellent system and the players know their roles. The blue eagles will most likely cruise to the final four and if they peak at the right time, the men in blue will be hoisting their fourth straight title.