2014 Ateneo de Manila University UAAP Men’s Basketball Primer

Reunited

2013 Roster:
Antonio Rafael Asistio, Francesco Wilfredo Asuncion, Gideon Ira Babilonia, Ryan Clarence Buenafe, Gwyne Matthew Capacio, Juan Nicolas Elorde, Ivan Angelo Enriquez, John Paul Erram, Frank Golla, Jr., Isaac Jules Lim, Peter Amiel Murphy, Chirstopher Elijah Newsome, Von Rolfe Pessumal, Kiefer Isaac Ravena, Juan Miguel Tiongson and Manuel Vicente Tolentino

Season 76 Standing:
5th place (7-7)

Pomp and Circumstance:
Ryan Buenafe, Frank Golla, John Paul Erram and Juan Miguel Tiongson

Stats Don’t Lie:
Lost 31.22 PPG, 6.22 APG, 19.21 RPG, 2.5 SPG and 1.92 BPG

Returns and Additions:
John Apacible, Alfonso Gotladera, Jay Javelosa, Kris Porter, Thirdy Ravena, Paul Siarot & Arvie Tolentino

Projected 2014 Depth Chart:

Pre-Season Standing:
The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles did not join any summer league tournament this year. This could be because they needed to avoid the PR fiasco that happened last year during the Premiere Cup or maybe this all came as a needed precaution after the injury bug that hit the team last year. Speaking of the injury bug, prized recruit 6’7” Isaac Go fell to injury during a scrimmage at Blue Eagle Gym last May.

The Blue Eagles held training camps in both Las Vegas and Seoul to prep for the season.

The Wire Says:

Streaks are Meant to be Broken
Despite losing a huge part of the draft class that brought them the five-peat last year, Ateneo was still considered a threat by the rest of the league. Alas, the slew of injuries that hit Kiefer Ravena and almost all of their big men caused the team to stumble and fall just short of a Final Four slot.

Size Matters
This year, the Blue Eagles have their frontline stacked with the returning Kris Porter and G-Boy, the promotion of Paul Siarot and Alfonso Gotladera and the recruitment of high school standouts John Apacible and Arvie Tolentino. Finally, the much anticipated team-up of the Ravena siblings might bring the Blue Eagles back to the Final Four. Surprisingly, during the Blue Eagles’ tune-up games ,Coach Bo Perasol started The Phenom at the Point Guard position with Von Pessumal on his side. Nobody knows if this will be the trend during the season. Safe to say, no one knows what to expect from the Blue Eagles this season.

A Family Affair
Brothers should never go against each other. That’s not how Mother Nature wanted it to be. Order has been restored. Thank you Thirdy and Kiefer! We, at the Times in general, can’t wait to see a highlight lob from you guys.

Starts and Ends with the Wings
The X-factor for the Blue Eagle’s this year would have to be the shooting guard position. The rotation of Kiefer Ravena-Von Pessumal-Thirdy Ravena has got to spread the floor out for Coach Bo’s offense to work. 

Parting Shot
AND BEFORE WE FORGET

Stay Awesome New Kid.

BONUS ROUND:
Laura Lehmann

Predicted Ranking

Editor-in-Chief: 5^th
TieBreaker Times Staff: 4^th