THE Ateneo Blue Eagles will have a roster full of rookies and sophomores in season 78 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippine when the men’s basketball action starts this Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
This is what’s in store for national head coach Tab Baldwin, who will share coaching duties with Sandy Arespacochaga in the coming campaign.
“We know we’re a young team. The situation is unfair because they have to mature quickly. But, they’re up to the challenge,” said Arespacochaga, who added that he has a hybrid arrangement with Baldwin in calling the shots for the Blue Eagles.
The Blue Eagles’ roster has been decimated after Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal, both considered as leaders of the squad, left and graduated, along with Gwyne Capacio and Fonso Gotladera,
The team also lost John Apacible, Clint Doliguez, Hubert Cani, Kemark Carino, CJ Perez, Jerie Pingoy and Arvin Tolentino because of academic deficiencies.
Staying on is Thirdy Ravena, the younger brother Kiefer, who was cleared after serving out a year-long disciplinary action imposed by the school because of academic deficiencies.
Also returning are third year players Gboy Babilonia, Chibueze Ikeh, Aaron Black, Vince Tolentino and Adrian Wong.
Ateneo junior standout Jolo Mendoza is expected to be there along with Xavier School’s Tyler Tio and Fil-American Raffy Verano, who still have citizenship issues being sorted out. Tio grew up in Canada, while Verano was born in California.
Among the players who left, former Rookie of the Year Tolentino, along with Cani moved to Far Eastern University while the controversial Pingoy transferred to Adamson University. Carino and Perez are now meeting residency requirements for NCAA squads.
The Blue Eagles, who reached the Final Four last year under Bo Perasol, are looking forward to another good finish.
But this time, Arespacochaga said they will benefit from the wisdom of Baldwin.
“This hybrid arrangement will have a big influence on the team. I’m not going to pretend to know more than him,” said Arespacochaga.