My UAAP Awards

Their shoutfest disqualified them from the MVP Race

JOLIBEE DOUBLE DUO OF THE YEAR

RIEL CERVANTES and PARI LLAGAS –The Inseperables

See FEU vs UE 1^st Round game.

PSBANK MAASAHAN

JR CAWALING – asahan mo magdidisappear siya sa big games. Averaged close to 10 ppg in wins and 5 ppg in losses.

Mr Burke Three waiting for his time to come

MR. QUALITY MINUTES:

VINCE BURKE - 2^nd Round Game vs. UP

Vince Burke played two quality minutes in a win against UP. Eric Salamat scored 23 pts. “I will remember today as the day Eric Salamat and I combined for 23 points!”

If UP has a Magi, San Beda Menor

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

MAGI SISON – on his fourth year in the league but still plays like a rookie. He was added to the SMART GILAS team but he never did made good use of the invitation and was just a presence in the first few minutes of the game. I see him have a better future in the Bank Leagues when he graduates.

Beside Jeric Fortuna, there is Afuang in the middle

ALL DEFENSIVE TEAM

CARMELO AFUANG (UST) – when he is in the middle, there is always a puwang.

FERDINAND (DLSU) When he is defending in middle, Ferdi none!

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR

JED MANGUERRA – Off Guard, he is the sixth man in that position

DEFENSIVE MAN OF THE YEAR

"With the object of improving team chemistry the FEU Tamaraws have decided to play our Final Four game today without Mark Barroca."

The FEU Management was on the defense

MYTHICAL 5 -You can conclude that their games are considered a myth and does not match the hype that goes with it

1. MIGS DE ASIS (UP) – Reportedly a shooter, reportedly still in the UAAP.

2. ARVIE BRINGAS (DLSU) Need not worry about Sophomore jinx because rookie year was a fluke

3. JUSTIN CHUA (ADMU) Has only one move to the hoop in HS and was unstoppable, now everyone knows that move.

4. JR CAWALING (FEU) Team Gilas mainstay averaged 12pts against UP and NU but could only average 7 ppg. against the top 4 teams. His game can be called LULI – Lulubog-Lilitaw.

5. JAMES MANGAHAS - see JR Cawaling comments and repeat

MVP

BADER MALABES

“Ride on my shoulders team and I will bring you to where you have never been!”

So where is DLSU now?? They have never been eliminated this early the past 20 seasons! Even his own kind, his school despised the way he played. A sad ending to a once promising player. All he did consistently was throw bricks -Pader Malabes!

Back to the Bonfire

The theme this years is "BACK TO THE BONFIRE!" It was nice of the Ateneo to learn from last year's experience by doing the celebration in front of the Grade School and Blue Eagle Gym. This mean's there is no muddy field and its easier to have a party within these premises.

Fr. Ben Nebres S.J, the Ateneo University President, as usual presided over the thanksgiving Mass for all the Ateneo teams. This bonfire is dedicated not only to all the teams that played in the first semester, but also for all the teams that won the Championship.

Fr. Raymund Benedict "RB" Hizon S.J, the Ateneo High School Principal, was also one of the Priests that con-celebrated the mass. His efforts and inspiration helped the Ateneo Juniors team win back to back crowns.

The Small Basketeers Team

The Ateneo Seniors and Juniors Team

After the mass a large crowd of Ateneans

were ready to party Ateneo Style!

The Small Basketeers Team

get ready for the Party

Coach PJ Navarro and

SBP MVP Michael Joseph Nieto

Former Blue Eaglet Macky Escalona

interviews the 2009 Blue Eaglets

Coach Norman Black pays tribute

to his graduating players

LETS LIGHT THE FIRE

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Ateneo Blue Eagles - UAAP Back to Back Champs

Ateneo Blue Eaglets - UAAP Back to Back Champs

Ateneo Grade School - SBP Three-Peat Champions

NEXT YEAR ULIT!!!

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

Thanksgiving: This is the Ateneo Way

Fr. Ben Nebres during the homily

I honestly don’t know how other schools celebrate their championships but for the Ateneo, each season ends with a thanksgiving mass. The Ateneo Blue Eagles is a team that a lot of Ateneans look up to and are considered role models. That is why a lot of students and Alumni expect a lot from the players and from the team. They are at the forefront of Ateneo sports. At the same time, the Ateneo is a University that prides itself with traditions that a lot of Ateneans embrace and one of them is giving thanks to the Lord for all the blessings he has given. Last October 8, 2009 the Ateneo community achieved a rare double back to back championship which was last achieved in the NCAA in the year 1975-1976. Fr. Ben Nebres S.J presided over the mass together with Fr. RB Hizon S. J who is the High School Principal. After the mass, Fr. Nebres called representatives of the champion teams to give a short speech.

Rabah AL-Husaini was all smiles and he was in a jolly mood. He thanked the Ateneo community and also apologize for being hot headed most of the time. He thanked Coach Norman Black who he said believed in him and that prompted the Coach to do extra time with him to work on his game. He said words cannot really express what he is going through and that he will savor the moment first before making any plans.

Nonoy Baclao thanked the Ateneo for giving him the opportunity to play basketball and to become what he is now. Nonoy is well loved by the Ateneo community and he is very happy he made the right decision. He mentioned that he was suppose to play for FEU. " FEU na sana ako" he said but after being advised by someone very dear to him, he later on found himself Katipunan bound. He even laughed when his adviser said "Eh ano naman gagawin mo sa FEU?" Nonoy was just thankful he went on to don the Blue and White.

Jai Reyes started out by getting back at his cousin Ice " Ako si Jai Reyes, pinsan ko po si Ice, mas mayabang sa akin iyan!" Jai was more prepared than Nonoy and Rabah and he mentioned "I actually wrote this thank you's for game 2 but we lost!" He then read his list of thanks and narrated the ordeal his family had when Typhoon Ondoy flooded their area and a chopper was there to the aid of his family. He paid tribute to his father Len who he said is the perfect example of a great father. He went through all the people he needed to thank and he said jai ended by saying "Ang Sarap Talaga Maging Atenista!"

Ateneo Blue Eagles- 2009 UAAP Seniors Champions

The Ateneo Blue Eagles

72nd UAAP Seniors Basketball

Back to Back Champions

Chot, Len, Mike, Jun and Billy, they are the Reyes brothers of the Ateneo who honed their basketball skills in the Ateneo but unfortunately took different basketball paths in college. A lot say Chot is the brainy one, Len the scorer, Mike the shooter, Jun the most prolific and Billy the most versatile. Chot would become a champion mentor while Jun would lead the Blue Eagles to back to back championships. Twenty one years after that back to back championship by Jun, his nephew who is Len’s son would duplicate the feat as Jai Reyes together with Rabah Al-Husaini and Nonoy Baclao led the Ateneo Blue Eagles to back to back titles after upending the gallant stand of the University of the East Red Warriors 71-58. The tradition continues.

Rabah is hacked

After getting blown away by the Warriors in game 2, the Blue Eagles were all business as Rabah Al-Husainin scored 11 first quarter points to lead the Blue Eagles to a 21-17 lead. The UE big guns tried to match the fire power of the Blue Eagles who had six fastrbreak points in the opening 5 minutes with Kirk Long getting two and 1 plays but muffing two gift free throws after the foul. Nonoy Baclao also scored on the break after getting a pass from Jai in traffic. UE's last lead stood at 8-6 but when the Blue Eagles equalized there was no more token resistance from the Warriors. It was an all Rabah quarter and event if Jai Reyes was missing his shots he dished out 4 of his game high 6 assists in that quarter.

Nico confronted by Lee

Come the second quarter the complexion of the game suddenly turned to the side of the Blue Eagles who used a paralyzing 12 -0 run to end the half. After Paul Lee scored on a drive with 6:05 left in the second quarter, the Eagles went to work by shutting down the Warriors and scoring almost at will. Ryan Buenafe scored 4 points, while Jai and Kirk scored three apiece and Jai also dished out his fifth assist on Rabah Al-Husaini to give the Blue Eagles a 40-25 advantage come halftime.

Nonoy is fouled

The Blue Eagles set the tone early with their defense as they held the Warriors to 29% shooting and led UE in almost every statistical category. The most telling among them is the 7-1 assist disparity and the 30 -16 edge on inside points. That alone signaled the downfall of the Warriors in the second quarter. The quarter ended with Ateneo scoring 19 points and the Warriors could only muster only 8.

Ryan leans on Pari

After the break, the UE Warriors started the quarter with two three pointers courtesy of Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuña. This signaled the surge of the UE Warriors as they tried gallantly to rally their team, unfortunately for them the Blue Eagles were not about to let them come back. Enter the gunslinger Jai Reyes who showed that his misses in the first half was just his way of sizing up his shots as he rattled three three pointers that eventually broke the backs of the Warriors.

Rabah ends his UAAP career with a break away dunk

Jai’s third three pointer with 58 seconds left gave the Blue Eagles a commanding 57- 39 lead while their defense was on 24-7 which led to a 57-41 lead at the end of the third quarter. This was enough cushion for the Blue Eagles as they head to the fourth quarter knowing that the UE Warrior would still comeback. Like what we always say, its best to start the fourth quarter up by a big margin.

Blue Eagles regroup

Come the fourth quarter everyone was waiting for a final push by the Warriors but unfortunately it did not come. In the four previous games of this two teams UE had a big run in each of the games. This time, the Blue Eagles made sure it will never happen. Suddenly the top gunners of UE were stifled and could not get its act together.

Beam me up Scottie

Ryan Buenafe stole the ball and even blocked Paul Lee who was shut down in the first few minutes of the fourth. Val ACuña was hot and cold, Elmer Espirtu was worn out come the fourth quarter, Rudy Lingannay was firing blanks, Raphy Reyes never got anything going and the big story was Pari Llagas who ended his UAAP career with a 0 for 7 shooting from the field. In the end , the Blue Eagles showed that they are indeed the best team in the UAAP by coming back and frustrating the Warriors.

Erik eludes his defender

Coach Norman Black’s post game remarks described the team very well he said “This team handled adversity well and they showed that they knew how to come back” at the same time he added “Experience is the best teacher. The loss in 2006 was something we did not want the others to feel that is why they did their best to win the title!” For the record, this is the first time that a double championship went back to back! Now that this is all over , lets all dream of a double three-peat! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ATENEO BLUE EAGLES! ONE BIG FIGHT!!!

Rabah scores

ATENEO (71)

Al-Husaini 21, Reyes 16, Buenafe 10, Baclao 8, Salamat 8, Long 7, Salva 2, Monrfort 0, Austria 0

UE (58)

Lee 21, Espiritu 16, Acuña 8, Lingganay 5, Zamar 3, Llagas 3. Reyes 0, Ayala 0, Duran 0,

Quarter scores: 21-17, 40-25, 57-41, 71-58

Back to Back!

Ateneo Blue Eaglets 2009 Juniors Back to Back Champs

The Ateneo Blue Eaglets,

2009 UAAP Juniors Basketball Champion

The Blue Eaglets were leading by seven points with less than three minutes left and was ready for the victory against the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers. Unfortunately, the Eaglets were forced to turnovers, bad shots and eventually lost in overtime 98-92 as the de La Salle Zobel Junior Archers won their second UAAP Juniors title. That was the end of season 70 which was two years ago and that was the game that was still in the back of the minds of sophomore relievers Ael Banal, Al Bugarin, Tim Capacio and Freshman phenom Kiefer Ravena. That year, Ateneo was out to defend its title and win back to back while DLS-Z was back to get some respect since they did not play in the 2006 season.

Back to Back

The Blue Eaglets of season 70 was out to win the title against a gritty DLS-Z squad but unfortunately, overconfidence got the best out of the Blue Eaglets who beat the Junior Archers twice in the eliminations. Hard to say but the Junior Archers got the better ending. Come season 71, both squads were hyped to meet once again in the finals as both schools ended the eliminations with the Blue Eaglets in the number one spot while the Junior Archers occupying the second spot. The Blue Eaglets have leaned their lessons and were ready to exact revenge, but alas, the Junior Archers were beaten by the no. 3 seeded FEU Baby Tamaraws which eventually lost to the Blue Eaglets in two games in the finals. Fate has a different way of showing things since their first finals encounter was suppose to happen in the 2005 season but the Blue Eaglets lost out to the UPIS Junior squad in 2005 which paved the way for the first title of the DLS-Z Junior Archers. After the 2008 season, Juami Tiongson, JV Dumrique, Ivan Enriquez and Kevin Gamboa graduated as winners but still carried the burden of not having the chance to avenge their 2007 loss to the Junior Archers.

Elorde wants to be an Eaglet

Come Season 72 the Blue Eaglets and the Junior Archers were predicted to meet in the finals once again. This time the favorite to win was the team from Alabang who is returning with a rejuvenated squad that featured 6-3 forward Gwyne Capacio, 6-7 center Arnold Van Opstal, 6-3 Center-Forward Aiki Herrera do it all point guard Nico Elorde and sweet shooting Luigi dela Paz. In their first encounter at the start of the season, Gwyne Capacio scored 29 points and hauled down 11 rebounds to give the Junior Archers an 80-58 win. After that loss, the Blue Eaglets were clawed by the UST Tiger Cubs 82-73. The Eaglets definitely regrouped, racked up the needed wins against the other squads and more importantly beat the undefeated DLS-Z Junior Archers 84-78 for their seventh straight win. This win gave them the needed confidence that was not there in their game 1 loss to the Junior Archers. The Eaglets marched on to the final four and faced the only team they have not beaten, the UST Tiger Cubs. The Eaglets needed to beat them twice and twice they did as the Blue Eaglets became the hottest team to advance to the 2009 juniors finals.

Van Opstal on the move

The Blue Eaglets won game 1 and lost game 2 and all they needed was to remind them of the heartbreaking setback they had in 2007 that gave the DLS-Z Team their first double championship. Kiefer Ravena scored 20 points in that game and Ael Banal never found his range. This time around Ael Banal was given something most people want whenever we experience setbacks, and that is a second chance. Banal made sure that when Kiefer was having a hard time with his game that he can be counted on to deliver. Banal scored 16 points and most it came in the first half with the rest of the Eaglets helping out on defense and also on offense. Paolo Romero and Von Pessumal, the two other national team players of the Blue Eaglets came in the clutch to help out an offense starved Kiefer Ravena.

Coach Joe Silva egging on the team

Romero for his part was seldom used in game 1 and was error prone in game 2 but when he was needed In the clutch he definitely delivered. Romero scored six of his 12 points in the last three minutes as Ravena played decoy and fed off his team mates who delivered well for the Blue Eaglets. Pessumal on the other hand shackled Gwyne Capacio who was held down to only 15 points and had a hard time with the Blue Eaglets defense.

The Junior Archers have fallen

The Blue Eaglets has done it. This victory is for the 2007 team that needed a chance to redeem themselves and it was sweeter than ever since it was done in the fashion that most Ateneans are famous for- triumph of the competitive spirit against the toughest adversity. To the 10 Senior Blue Eaglets, your contributions will never be forgotten and you will forever be remembered as the Green Slayers in Ateneo High School history. For the Blue Eaglets who will return next year, Kiefer, Von, Paolo and Chucky – the journey begins once again for another historic feat.

Coach Jamike Jarin, Back to the Back

The scores:

Ateneo (61)

Banal 16, Romero 12, Pessumal 10, Ravena 9, Sinco 3, Pe 3, Capacio 3, Dumrique 2, Bugarin 2, Reyes 1,

DLS-Z (56)

Capacio 15, de la Paz 14, Van Opstal 9, Elorde 8, Herrera 6, Roxas 2, Park 2, Sevilla 0,

Quarterscores: 14-8, 22-all, 42-41, 61-56

thanks to Aaron Vicencio and the ASS for the pictures

Junior Archers even series

Junior Archers Regroup

The De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers lived up to their top seed image as they came from behind to beat the defending champions, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets 57-53. The Junior Archers unleashed a paralyzing 14-3 run in the last 7 minutes that caught the Eaglets flat flooted and set up a winner take all meeting on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Rebound Play

Gwynne Capacio made up for his lackluster performance in the first game as he sank the insurance basket to give the Alabang based quintet another day to live. The Blue Eaglets sorely missed the scoring of King Eaglet Kiefer Ravena as he did not get his scoring going as he could only manage 6 points on one field goal and four free throws. The only bright spot for the Eagles was the stellar play of Ael Banal who scored 19 points on 5 of 6 shooting from beyond the arc. Unfortunately none of those points came in the fourth quarter as the offensive drought of the Blue Eaglets told on them.

Coach Boris Aldeguer

The game was marred by many tight shots and bad shooting as the Junior Archers failed to score on a three pointer. The frontline of the Junior Archers scored heavily as Gwynne Capacio scored 19 points, Arnold Van Opstal 10 points and Aiki Herrera 6 points for a total of 35 points as compared to the combined 21 points scored by Al Bugarin, Paolo Pe, Tim Capacio and Paolo Romero. The win negated the 11 points and 17 rebounds game of Al Bugarin who more than held the fort against the taller Junior Archers.

Nico Elorde is defended by Ice Reyes

The Junior Archers started strong to start both halves but the determined stand of the Blue Eaglets showed when their defense forced their guards to shoot miserably. Nico Elorde, Luigi dela Paz and Louis Fortuna failed to nail a three pointer and relied on their frontline to deliver the goods. The Blue Eaglets were on the way to their 16^th title overall when fate struck. Leading 51-43 with 7:15 left it looked like the team from Katipunan has it all figured out until tragedy struck. After shooting miserably from the free throw line all afternoon, the Junior Archers scored on the stripe when it mattered as their frontline of Van Opstal, Herrera and Capacio hit all their six free throws in the last minute to take the lead for good. Game 3 will be another blockbuster as the Blue Eaglets try to gain respect and together with their senior counterparts try to win a double back to back. Thursday will be our date of destiny.

DLS-Z (57)

Capacio 19, Van Opstal 10, Elorde 9, dela Paz 9, Herrera 6, Sevilla 4, Fortuna 0, Park 0, Roxas 0

ATENEO (53)

Banal 19, Bugarin 11, Ravena 6, Pessumal 6, Pe 4, Capacio 4, Reyes 3, Romero 0, Sinco 0, Tenorio,

Quarterscores:

8-12, 23-32, 41-45, 57-53