Games on Wednesday
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. – NUNS vs UPIS (Boys’ 16U)
10 a.m. – DLSZ vs FEU-D (Boys’ 16U)
Noon – AdU vs Ateneo (Boys’ 16U)
3 p.m. – Ateneo vs UE (Men)
5:30 p.m. – DLSU vs UST (Men)

FOR the first time in a decade, a coach not-named-Tab Baldwin will be manning the sidelines of the embattled Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball team in the UAAP.

Seasoned mentor Louie Alas, albeit on a still interim basis, has been tasked to usher in a new but definitely the most challenging era of the ADMU Blue Eagles’ rich tradition in the aftermath of the tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora, last June that led to the unfortunate drowning of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Mr. Baterbonia, a former Palarong Pambansa MVP for Davao Region, was an incoming rookie while Mr. Adili was a sophomore after serving as Ateneo’s foreign student-athlete last season.

Not only will the two not be around with the Blue Eagles anymore but also Mr. Baldwin, who resigned from his post after being at the center of national probes before later on being whipped by the UAAP with a perpetual, non-appealable ban.

Eight team staff including a bevy of assistant coaches were also suspended indefinitely by the UAAP.

Here comes Mr. Alas, an NCAA champion coach and veteran PBA tactician when the Blue Eagles take on their first test against the University of the East (UE) at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena before reigning champion De La Salle University’s 2-0 bid against University of Santo Tomas (0-1) at 6 p.m.

“I’m ready to accept the challenge,” said Mr. Alas as Ateneo will march into battle with black “RB” and “DA” patches on their jerseys for the rest of the UAAP Season 89 in honor of Mr. Baterbonia and Mr. Adili.

Before all hell broke loose in June for Ateneo, Mr. Baldwin was the man for the Blue Eagles with four titles in 10 years, including six straight finals appearances and a three-peat highlighted by a perfect 16-0 season in Season 82.

Mr. Alas, Mr. Baldwin’s top deputy last season, is well aware of his predecessor’s stacked resume on the court but for him, the task at hand is not to follow in his footsteps in terms of basketball success.

The immediate goal is to begin a healing process through playing the game they all love, despite thinking twice on accepting the promotion amid the tragedy that sparked into a national issue and multiple government investigations.

“I was ready to go. I was ready to retire pero with that situation, tingin ko walang coach na aalis,” said Mr. Alas, who was not in Aurora due to personal matters when the tragedy struck the Blue Eagles.

“Destined siguro ako. Ayoko na maging head coach but ‘yun ang binigay ng Diyos. Gusto lang muna namin enjoyin ‘yung binigay samin ng Diyos, binigay ng UAAP to be here and play. Part ng healing namin ito. Mas madali kaming maghe-heal kung mananalo.”

To help in picking up the pieces of the clipped Blue Eagles, Mr. Alas brought in his trusted lieutenants from his NCAA champion squad Letran Knights in Kerby Raymundo and RJ Jazul.

He will not be alone in debuting for the Blue Eagles with his son Kieffer, former UAAP juniors MVP, FIBA Asia Mythical Five for Batang Gilas and one of the lucky survivors in the tragedy, also making his collegiate jump.

Guiding Ateneo is new team captain Jared Bahay, a former CESAFI MVP, now in his junior year as they enter an uncharted territory in more than just a basketball aspect.

And what will motivate them to keep on going is no less than the memory and honor of Mr. Baterbonia and Mr. Adili.

“Seeing those patches on our jersey made me emotional. Those patches will let us remember them, play for them and their families. We’re gonna dedicate this season to them, to the fans, to the families, to the Ateneo community and to us,” said the Cebuano hotshot. — John Bryan Ulanday