THE BUILD-UP: The 1983 - 1984 Blue Eaglets

1983 Opening Ceremonies

If there was demoralization in the Senior’s team when the switch to the UAAP happened, it was hardly felt in the Juniors team because in the first three years that the Blue Eaglets played, the teams then won three straight juniors titles. The Blue Eaglets eventually lost in 1981 and 1982 with the defending champion UST Golden Nuggets favored to repeat because of an intact line-up.  In the years leading to the 1987 UAAP Season, the core of the team would come from the four different juniors teams that represented the Blue and White from 1983 to 1986.

Bibo Pefianco (13) is taken out of position

THE 1983 ATENEO BLUE EAGLETS

On the other side of the campus, the Blue Eaglets were just coming to their own once again as the new crop of exciting and promising players were elevated to the Juniors program. Just three years ago, the Blue Eaglets won their third straight juniors title and now that the core of that team is in the Seniors Division, it is time for the junior’s basketball program to make a comeback. Leading the team were two juniors that revitalized the sleeping Ateneo Basketball program and gave it the needed jumpstart that would eventually lead to glory in the late 80s. Jaime Vicente "JV" Gayoso is a dynamo and he was then known as “The man with a thousand moves!” He can score from almost everywhere on the court and he is so strong that even if you ride his back on a lay-up he will surely score with a foul to boot. He is an inside – outside scorer with a decent defensive game. Gilbert "Jun"Reyes Jr. is an example of a thinking point guard. He knows exactly when to orchestrate, when to score and when to put on some tough defense. Don’t let that 5’8 height fool you because if you take him for granted he might as well score a jumper in your face. Back then Alejandro "Alex" Araneta was a work in progress. But definitely a risk the team is willing to take. Its not often that the rebounds fall in the hands of a high leaping 6’6 center and he is most effective in countering the big guys of the other schools. Complementing the three were battle-scarred seniors with Captain Emmanuel “Nolet” Puno, Bibo Pefianco, Louie Bonoan, Pancho TIzon, Raffy Veloso, Romulo Ramos, Mike Agleron and Roberto Liamzon. Completing the team were Germz Sanchez, Chim Sison and Randy Sevilla. The Ateneo had three pairs of brothers playing in both the seniors and juniors with Chot and Jun Reyes, Vince and Alex Araneta and Franco and Randy Sevilla.

Action under the goal

That season the defending champion UST Golden Nuggets were on their way to sweep the UAAP Juniors tournament when the never say die Blue Eaglets weaved their magic to accomplish the impossible.  Imagine having to beat a team they have never beaten for three straight games to be able to annex the title the Blue Eaglets last held in 1980. First to avert a 12 game sweep then negate their twice to beat advantage in the finals. Leading the Golden Nuggets were 2 big frontline players in 6-3 Rene “Bong” Hawkins and 6-6 Julian Rabbi Tomacruz.  Hawkins was a force inside as he led UST by scoring 44 points against Adamson in one of their games.

Rebound play

Just like any championship, the first is always the hardest one to get but the Blue Eaglets were not one to surrender right away as Jun Reyes and JV Gayoso combined with their more senior players Nolet Puno, Bibo Pefianco and Louie Bonoan to beat the Nuggets in three straight games including the title clinching game to the score of 94 – 85 to win the 1983 UAAP Juniors title. This year also marked the rise of an Ateneo star in Jayvee Gayoso who won the UAAP-Celtics one on one competition by edging out Rene Hawkins of the Golden nuggets. JV Gayoso, the man with a thousand moves,  put more than a thousand moves on display to come out victorious. He literally toiled hard to bring the title back to Katipunan as he shot the ball well and barrelled his way inside the paint to no avail. Jun Reyes on the other hand combined his speed, with his impeccable shooting and his excellent leadership earned him the finals MVP. This team would pave the way for greater things to come.

One of the best if not the Best Ateneo Juniors team ever

THE 1984 ATENEO BLUE EAGLETS

After threading the needle the year before, the 1984 Ateneo Blue Eaglets were optimistic that the 47^th season of the UAAP Juniors Basketball were theirs to dominate. Coming back was team captain Jayvee Gayoso together with co-captains Jun Reyes and Germz Sanchez. Alex Araneta would also return that year together and another star on the rise Randy Sevilla who as a rookie contributed well. Joining them after getting more seasoned from the PRADA and PAYA teams were Joseph Canlas, Joseph Kenneth Nieto, Albert Nolido, Juluis Cendana add to that defensive specialists Bing Arroyo and Jun Oledan, bruisers Juergen Facundo and Albert Mendoza and the sharp shooting Robbie Tanjuatco.  Back then the Ateneo Juniors team was called “The Super team” since it is probably one of the most complete teams assembled.

 

Joseph “ICEMAN” Canlas is one of big guns that eventually made it to the senior’s team. One doesn’t get to be called Iceman if you are not a cool and no one gets to be called Iceman if you are not as good as George Gervin. Seph is on the same mold minus the finger roll. Seph can play both forward positions, can slash to middle and can shoot the ball from afar. Seph can be a lockdown defender and will not back down from any rough sailing that any opposing player will do. 

 

The 1984 Blue Eaglets in one of their practice games

Joseph Canlas and Jet Nieto are made in the same mold for they can play both ways as they paralyze you on offense and shut you down on defense. A natural power forward, Jet loves to mix it up inside, grab rebounds and shoot the ball from afar. When he was still a kid in Claret he never knew where basketball will take him but since he loved the game he played the game with passion. When he transferred to the Ateneo High School he got to play in the PAYA juniors team coached by the very outspoken Dondi Baltazar. His flexibility on both ends of the court will is another asset that returning Coach Rafael Dimalanta will surely take advantage to the hilt.

 

For the second straight year, the Blue Eaglets were King!

This team was deep to the core and even the best of the UST Golden Nuggets and Adamson Baby Falcons were no match. A lot of Ateneans were saying that this team is the best in their era and they did not disappoint as they ran rings around every opponent enroute to a 12 – 0 slate and not even the Baby Falcons trio of scoring machine Romulo Orillosa, Rolando Cupcupin and Teddy Naluz could derail the team’s date for destiny. There were no empty seats this time and the game was played at the Araneta Coliseum and was televised. At the end of it all, the Blue Eaglets captured their fifth title in outstanding fashion. The season was the baptism of fire of the fab -5 Jun Reyes, JV Gayoso, Joseph Canlas, Jet Nieto and Alex Araneta that will go on to be the core of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

 

 next blog entry: A NEW HOPE: Rising from the Ashes 1985 - 1986

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A NEW HOPE: Rising from the Ashes 1983 - 1984

Colorful Opening ceremonies at the RMC

My first foray as a Blue Eagle fan was in 1983 when I was a freshman in High School. The previous school year, the Blue Eagles had a promising season that saw them win six games and lose six for the third time in four seasons. For Team Ateneo, everything was now pointing for them to go above the .500 mark. Leading the Hail Mary squad was the do it all point guard in Vincent “Chot” Reyes, skipper Jerick Hechanova and finally a serviceable center in the hulking Michael Facundo. As a fan i heard that the Ateneo were once the kings of the NCAA and transfered to the UAAP. That's when i realized that all those Basketball players coming in and out of the Loyola center were Atreneo stars and i didn't even know who they were unlike now where grade school students are immersed in the games of the Blue Eagles. 

 1983 opening Ceremonies, all teams performed

THE 1983 ATENEO BLUE EAGLES

The Blue Eagles on the other hand started the tournament strong with  five players averaging double figures after the first round as the Blue and White ended up tied for first with FEU and UST with similar 4- 2 win loss cards. Chot Reyes (21.0 ppg), Jeric Hechanova (15.83 ppg), Center Mike Facundo (14.67 ppg.), Tino Estela (12.5 ppg) and Frank Orena (10.5) tore the tournament apart as the Blue Eagles surprised the league with their high-octane offense. The Blue Eagles beat the defending champion UE Red Warriors with Jeric Hechanova providing the winning free throws and Chot Reyes erupting for 32 points in their 109-107 win. Another team that the Blue Eagles brought down were FEU Tamaraws 101 -93 with Hechanova going for 19 points. It was the first time in five years that the Eagles defeated the Tamaraws. To underscore the firepower of the Blue Eagles, the team annihilated the NU Bulldogs to the tune of 140-63 with three players scoring 20 pts and six players scoring double digits and  all 12 players scoring a least a point. This record still stands as the biggest points scored by Blue Eagles to this day. Unfortunately, in the second round, the league adjusted to the sudden rise of the Blue Eagles and one by one the Eagles fell prey to the other teams and lost five of their last six games and the only team they beat was the NU Bulldogs to end the season with a 5-7 card and another sub . 500 season.  The FEU Tamaraws won the title by beating the UP maroons. This year San Beda left the NCAA and wanted to concentrate on their intramurals that left the once glamorous NCAA with only five teams.

Led by Glen Capacio the Tamaraws win title #13

THE 1984 ATENEO BLUE EAGLES

The 1983 season was just a peek of good things to come. Although the dream season turned out to be a nightmare, the Blue Eagles bucked playing in gyms with empty seats and minimal school support by beating the big guns in UE and FEU. The year 1984 proved to be another heart breaker for the Blue Eagles and not even the super human efforts done by Chot Reyes and center Mike Facundo could suffice as the team lingered in the cellar once again. Unlike in previous years, the Blue Eagles were able to surprise other teams because no one took them seriously and those teams paid dearly. Now the other teams are starting to notice and practically preparing for the Blue Eagles.  This year, the UAAP was gaining ground and popularity and was somehow distancing itself from the NCAA with the rise of Allan Caidic and Pido Jarencio as the stars of the UAAP. The UAAP had more teams than the NCAA and some of the High school stars of the NCAA are shifting to the UAAP.

The UAAP Stars take your pick Caidic vs. Jarencio

Two years ago Pido Jarencio scored 50 pts against the NU Bulldogs and if given the chance he can do more. The epic 1984 UAAP season witnessed the mano-a-mano battle of Caidic and Jarencio as both shooters established a finals record of scoring 44 and 48 points respectively. That year the three-point line was not yet in play so for Jarencio to score 48 points and Caidic 44 was already a feat in itself that sent waves around the country of the next stars of Philippine Basketball. However, for Ateneo basketball their story that year did not evolve around their senior’s team but more on the junior’s squad. The Blue Eagles could only muster three wins in this season as the teams they beat before took notice and got stronger. UE had Caidic and Jerry Codinera, UST had Pido Jarencio and Bennet Palad, UP had Ronnie Magsanoc and Eric Altamirano, FEU had Glen Capacio and Harmon Codinera while Adamson had Louie Alas and Elmo Ledesma. The other teams kept on getting better while the Blue Eagles became stagnant and needed a new lease on of life.

NEXT BLOG: THE BUILD-UP: THE 1983 - 1984 BLUE EAGLETS

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Blue Eaglets beat Junior Olympians

Rebound Action

The Four-peat seeking Ateneo Blue Eaglets shook off opening quarter jitters and then finally caught up on the STI College Junior Olympians to score an 89 - 81 win. New center Chris Porter took care of the inside while incoming senior Kiefer Lim took care of the outside as the debut of Coach Joe Silva seemed pointed to the right direction. The Blue Eaglets paraded a cast of new faces and even played some incoming freshmen to show that they are ready to defend their UAAP title for the third time to get a fourth straight title to match the 1983-1986 romp of the Blue Eaglets.

Eagles on the offensive

Former SBP campaigners Matthew Nieto, Michael Nieto, Martin Mendoza, Enzo Joson also got some playing time and did not disappoint as the veterans guided them against the hard-nosed defense of the Junior Olympians. The Blue Eaglets played minus Lambert Tenorio, Mark Gamboa and Gerard Austria but got good games from Gabe Capacio and Kiefer Lim plus some contributions from the new kids.

back to the action

The Junior Olympians started the quarter with a 16 - 8 lead as the Blue Eaglets played tentatively. The Junior Olympians relied on their guards to stymie the Blue Eaglets offense. Point guards Macky Delorino and Vince Amparo showcased their ball handling wizardry while Erven Silverie and Eric Sanchez attacked the basket consistently. Big men Arjay Napenas and John Parinas had their share of points inside the paint to showcase the balanced attack by the Junior Olympians. Other notable contributors for the Olympians were Raffy Rebugio and John Baquiran.

The two Nietos on the court

Chris Porter and Tomas Ramos stamped their class inside the shaded lane while Kiefer Lim sank three three pointers. The Blue Eaglets also threw a defensive jacket on the Junior Olympians as UAAP juniors Champs surged ahead by 15 in the opening of the fourth quarter. The Junior Olympians fought back by matching the defensive intensity of the Blue Eaglets and this led to baskets by Rebugio, Napenas and Silverie, their efforts cut the Blue Eaglets lead to only six points with three minutes left. This prompted Coach Joe Silva to bring in Chris Porter back who continued his unstoppable romp inside the shaded lane to seal the win for the Blue & White.

Vince Amparo gets the rebound

THE SCORES

ATENEO (89)

Ramos 20, Asuncion 19, Porter 17, Lim 11, Asistio 7, Mi Nieto 6, Capacio 4, Nieto 2, Ladaban 2, Mendoza 0, Joson 0, Vitangcol 0,

STI COLLEGE (81)

Napenas 18, Silverie 17, Rebugio 15, Amparo 8, Baquiran 8, Delorino 6, Pariñas 5, Sanchez 4, Lucban 0

Bonfire 2010

The Ateneo de Manila University community celebrated for the third straight year their third UAAP Men's title in grand fashion. The Ateneo held a bonfire and a party to celebrate the victory of its teams that has won championships for the first semester. Leading the way is the three-peat feat of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. The first team that was called on stage was the Ateneo Grade School Small Basketeers Basketball team. The team is coached by PJ Navarro and is on its fourth straight championship. Coach PJ invited everyone to join them defend their title in the National Finals come in Cebu come the third week of November.

Another team that won another basketball championship is the Ateneo Grade School PRADA midgets basketball team. Headed by veteran coach Jun Bautista who has been coaching the team for the past 27 years together with assistant coach Omar Ajun who is also a graduate of coach Bautista's program. Leading the team who won by 20 points against San Beda was last year's SBP MVP Michael Nieto and his twin brother Matthew and Martin Mendoza. As Nieto would put it "We are happy with this title which proves we are the best in our batch!" Hope to see them don the Eaglets uniform two years from now.

Another team that was given the same warm treatment by the Ateneo loyalists was the Ateneo High School swimming team. This is the sixth straight year that the Ateneo High School swimming team has brought home the bacon. I remember when I was in High school until the six peat happened, the AHS swim team would win titles year in and year out, and would lose for not more than two years. They would recover easily.

Another team that was simply amazing is the Ateneo Blue Eaglets which won its third straight title. The Blue Eaglets is led by the phenom Kiefer Ravena who in his four years in High school has been in four UAAP finals and led this team to its third title. Together with Von Pessumal who flew with Kiefer to Yemen to join the 18 and under national team which placed 5th. This is the highest place the team has gotten in 20 years. Kiefer led the win against Japan by scoring 37 points and was voted in the All-Asia mythical 5. The Blue Eagles are hopeful that Ravena would stay in the country to play for them. The only stumbling block are the NCAA recruiters from abroad.

Chucky Dumrique, another vital cog in the team's three year romp also bade the Ateneo goodbye since he will be joining his family abroad after graduation. It was a tough decision to stay and his awesome performance in game 3 of the finals all than made up for his sacrifices. Besides Dumrique, Pessumal and Ravena, Paolo Romero the big man in the middle will also enter college next year. Manning the middle next year will be Jay Javelosa and another prized rookie Chris Porter. Junior guard Lambert Tenorio will most likely lead the guards next year. It is quite exciting to see the development of Javelosa who was a part of the 2007 SBP team and also played guard. With his height he can be a big small forward in the Juniors, shades of Wesley Gonzales.

Coach Jamike Jarin also spoke about his team. Jarin will be leaving the High School basketball program but will still be an assistant in the Seniors team. His replacement has not yet been named. In leaving the Eaglets, Jarin has captured 8 titles and has a bounty of players who are now successful in life. As former Blue Eagle and Eaglet Macky Escalona put it, the goal set by the Blue Eaglets by then HS Principal Fr. Carmelo Caluag, is for the Blue Eaglets to be good players, good athletes, good students and good persons in life. That alone clearly defines how the Ateneo runs it students athletes programs. Congratulations to all the teams and we hope you do it again next year.

Blue Eaglets get Three-peat

The Ateneo Blue Eaglets
Three Straight UAAP Juniors Titles

Ateneo High School spitfire Kiefer Ravena got the best defenders on him so he faked one defender to the left, went right and when a third defender was about to meet him on the drive Keifer issued a bullet pass to freshman center Jay Javelosa who went strong to the basket and got a foul from UST Tiger Cub center Kevin Ferrer, foul and counted. This signaled the passing of the torch from one veteran phenom to another as Senior guard Keifer Ravena led the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to a masterful 76 – 59 conquest over the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs. It was third straight UAAP Juniors title for the Katipunan based high school squad and they have finals MVP Kiefer Ravena to thank.

Finals MVP Kiefer Ravena scores

In a duel of two MVPs, Kiefer Ravena more than showed who the real MVP is as he went toe to toe with co-Mythical 5 member, under 18 youth team teammate and season 73 UAAP Juniors MVP Kevin Ferrer of the University of Santo Tomas. Ravena scored 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and no fouls after playing for all but five minutes of the game. In striking contrast, Ferrer was limited to 13 points but had 10 rebounds and 1 assist and 1 steal, a far cry from his 35 point outburst in their first game last week. Both players will join the RP 18 and under national team in the FIBA 18 and under basketball tournament in Yemen.

The Battle of Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Ferrer

The Blue Eaglets started the same way they started in game 1 as they took an early lead as the four graduating seniors who were holdovers of last year’s team went berserk and established an early lead. Kiefer Ravena scored 8 first quarter point while fellow seniors Von Pessumal added 6 points, Center Paolo Romero canned four points and former Grade school main man Chuck Dumrique scored 5 points. Dumrique gave the Blue Eaglets a 23 – 14 lead after he nailed a three pointer at the buzzer. UST Tiger cubs wingman and three point specialist Jaypee Sarcia who did not play in game 2 because of the penalty given him because of his punching foul, scattered 5 points together with Ismael Corre, Ferrer only had 4 points as the three accounted for the 14 points of the UST team.

Chuck Dumrique scores on a reverse lay up

In the second quarter, defense was the key for both teams as the Tiger Cubs would double team Kiefer Ravena and the phenom would respond by letting his other team mates to score as five Blue Eaglets scored in the 2^nd quarter with while the troika of Ferrer, Corre and Sarcia continued their way for the Tiger Cubs, the Eaglets outscored the Cubs in the second canto 12 – 11 to lead the first half by ten, 35 - 25. In the third quarter the Blue Eaglets threatened to blow the game out as Ravena and Pessumal combined to put the give the Blue Eaglets their biggest lead 50 – 35 with 5 minutes to go. Ravena was simply unstoppable while Pessumal hit his jumpers as the Tiger Cubs sued for time to recover. The Tiger Cubs eventually came back as Jaypee Sarcia, Ronino Mison and five other tiger cubs as they threatened the Blue eaglets as they cut the 15 point lead to three 50-47. The quarter would end with two more Ateneo baskets to give the Blue Eaglets more breathing room 54-47.

Von Pessumal on a jumper

Come the fourth quarter, it was just a matter of formality as the Blue Eaglets shut down Ismael Corre, forced Jaypee Sarcia to missed three pointers and limited Kevin Ferrer to just one three point field goal as the Blue Eaglets defense went to work again. Chuck Dumrique scored 7 fourth quarter points as the four seniors holdovers held their own against the Tiger Cubs to become the second Ateneo Juniors team to win to win three titles in a row, the last one was in 1985, that team eventually won a fourth one in 1986. Just when you think that UAAP Season 73 Finals MVP Kiefer Ravena’s graduation would be a big loss to the Ateneo campaign next year , well think again since the Ateneo pipeline is so loaded and there are so many players coming in next year to signal another era for Ateneo High School basketball. Just as the torch was passed to Kiefer by the senior players when he was a freshman, Kiefer has just passed the torch to Javelosa and the rest of the Blue Eaglets as he, Pessumal, Romero and Chuckie Dumrique join 1985 Blue Eaglets Randy Sevilla as the only Blue Eaglets to be a part of a three-peat. Congrats to the Blue Eaglets including the coaching staff led by Coach Jamike Jarin. See you again next year.

Paolo Romero was 7 of 9

from the field for 14 points

ATENEO (76)

Ravena 24, Pessumal 15, Dumrique 14, Romero 14, Tenorio 5, Javelosa 3, Sacluti 1, Vitangcol 0, Suarez 0, Puno 0, Mercado 0, Lim 0, Gamboa 0, Gadia 0, Austria 0,

UST (59)

Sarcia 17, Ferrer 13, Corre 9, Mison 7, Lazaro 6, Cabauatan 5, Gooh 2, salas 0, Ilarde 0, Florentin 0

Quarter scores:

23 – 14, 35 – 25, 54 – 47, 76 - 59

ATENEO UAAP JUNIORS CHAMPIONSHIPS

1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009,

and 2010

Chuck Dumrique off Kevin Ferrer

Blue Eaglets lose game 1 of finals

The Eaglets on defense

Blame it on the long lay-off or was it just pure overconfidence that the Ateneo Blue Eaglets felt when they failed to close the game to give the second running University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs a 77 -71 win in the first game of the championship of the UAAP Juniors Division. National Youth 18 and under mainstay Kevin Ferrer proved that he is head and shoulder above the rest as he carried his team to victory as he led all scorers with 35 points and delivered the most important points in crunch time. This win came after UST swingman JP Sarcia was thrown out in the first quarter for a punching foul on Jay Sacluti.

Rookie Center Jay Javelosa scores

The Blue Eaglets started the game on a hot streak as it raced to a 10 - 0 lead on Paolo Romero's six points. The Eaglets stymied the Tiger Cubs guards as they forced Ejay Corre to turnovers and converted them to points. Von Pessumal scored 4 points in that run with Keifer Ravena scoring two points. The Tiger Cubs sensing problems in their start sued for time and eventually regrouped. The Cubs attacked the Blue Eaglets press with Corre scoring on drives and the rest of the team helping out in bringing the ball down. The Eaglets where still ahead 14 -2 when the Tiger Cubs came back with a fiery 11 - 5 run to end the first quarter within striking distance 19-13.

Paolo Romero lays it in

In the second quarter Kevin Ferrer happened! It was the moment that the MVP candidate has asked for as he drained three three pointers to give the Tiger cubs the upperhand and the momentum of the game. Ferrer missed an opportunity for a four point play but showed that is for real as Ateneo never knew what hit them. The Tiger Cubs eventually took a 26-22 lead on the barrage of threes by Ferrer and also took the half 37-32. From then on no one was able to stop Ferrer as he went on a tear offensively and was ably backed up by their point guard Ejay Corre with 24 points. Kiefer Ravena had 24 points while Von Pessumal had a hard time scoring 14 points as he missed all his three point shots. Paolo Romero had 12 but all of them in the first half.

Kiefer Ravena outjumps everybody

The end for the Blue Eaglets came with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter. with the score tied at 62 - all and the Tiger cubs having possession. Ferrer looked tired and has missed three three pointers and some free throws. Unfortunately for the Blue Eaglets they never knew that Ferrer had an overdrive gear in him as he let loose two three pointers that gave the Tiger Cubs a 68 - 62 advantage that rattled the Blue Eaglets. The Eaglets would cut the score to 74-71 with less than a minute less after Lambert Tenorio hit a triple and Kiefer Ravena scored on a lay up with three defenders on him. Kevin Ferrer would ice the game with his free throws. Game two is set on thursday at 11:00 am at the big dome.

Kiefer off Kevin

The Scores:

UST 77- Ferrer 35, Core 24, Cabauatan 6, Lazaro 3, Ilarde 3, Sarcia 2, Mison 2, Gooh 2, Salas 0.

ADMU 71- Ravena 24, Pessumal 14, Romero 12, Tenorio 9, Mercado 4, Dumrique 4, Javelosa 2, Gadia 2, Vitangcol 2, Suarez 0, Sacluti 0, Puno 0, Lim 0, Gamboa 0, Austria 0.

Quarter scores: 13-19, 37-32, 49-50, 77-71.

Thanksgiving - This is the Ateneo Way

COACH JAMIKE JARIN

Coach Jamike had a hard time talking, most probably because he spent the whole forty minutes of the Juniors game shouting. He mentioned that he is so proud of his boys and that he is very happy that they won. He said “trinabaho talaga namin iyan” owing to the fact that they were not favored to win the crown since the team they beat were bigger, stronger but not smarter. Coach Jamike ended by thanking his palyers, coaching staff, management and his wife.

ICE REYES

Ice is the Captain of the Blue Eaglets and is one of the sons of a former Blue Eaglet, Blue Eagle and PBA Coach Chot Reyes. Ice Reyes started by saying “Ako po si Ice Reyes, pinsan po ako ni Jai Reyes,(then pauses a while) Mas Magaling po ako sa kanya!” Then the whole congregation burst into laughter. Ice then narrated the story of the Ateneo Juniors team. He said that prior to the start of the season, all they were saying was that they were so strong that they will sweep the tournament. Ice said that they believe that they have what it takes to win the title and that no team will derail them from that dream which obviously includes the DLS-Z Junior Archers. The Blue Eaglets then started the season on a sour note by losing to the DLS-Z Junior Archers by 22 points. Gwyne Capacio torched them with 29 points in that game.

Ice with his co-Senior players

That loss brought down the Eaglets hopes for a sweep and more importantly shook them badly. Just as the Blue Eaglets were picking up the pieces of that loss, they suffered another humiliating loss to the UST Tiger Cubs. That was a dagger into their hearts. Then he mentioned that they all talked about it and vowed to do better. They eventually racked up 7 straight wins including a confidence building win against the DLS-Z Junior Archers. Then the Blue Eaglets would lose again to the UST Tiger Cubs and FEU Baby Tamaraws but secured the third spot in the Final Four.

The Blue Eaglets

Ice mentioned that when they were up against the UST Team they were quite problematic since this is the only team that they have not beaten. But on the other hand it’s just like writing a script that if the Blue Eaglets will advance to the finals they will even up things with the Tigers since they will need to win twice to advance. The Blue Eaglets then regrouped and made it back to the finals to defend their title as they beat the Tiger Cubs in two close games.

The Blue Eaglets with MVP

Funny thing about Ice was that he repeated what Fr. Ben Nebres said during the homily as Ice said “Ask and you shall receive!” they asked for a championship and that was what was given them. Then Ice called the 10 seniors in the team and the crowd gave them a warm round of applause. Everyone was so happy to see another Reyes help out win the title.

The crowd at the GESU