Ateneo de Manila University has unveiled its 17-man lineup for the 2026 Pinoyliga Big Dance.
Leading the squad are seniors Ian Espinosa, Shawn Tuano, Kyle Gamber, and Andrew Bongo, along with one-and-done players Travis Roberts and EJ Kapihe.
The Blue Eagles will also lean on juniors Jared Bahay and Waki Espina, who are coming off solid campaigns in UAAP Season 88.
Ateneo’s rookies include Kieffer Alas, the UAAP Season 87 Under-19 Most Valuable Player, as well as Jay-M Leal; transferees Logan Baltazar, Matt de Luna, and Grayson Rogers; and Nigerian big man Sultan Baruwa, the only foreign student-athlete on the Blue Eagles’ roster.
Completing the lineup are Michael Asoro, Alden Cainglet, and Sam Reyes.
Louie Alas will make his debut as Ateneo’s head coach in the tournament, with his former Letran players RJ Jazul and Kerby Raymundo joining his coaching staff.
On Friday, the UAAP Board of Trustees cleared the Blue Eagles to compete in Season 89, noting that the team was also affected by the tragic “team-building” activity in Aurora last June 8 that claimed the lives of their teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
The Blue Eagles will play in memory of their fallen brothers.
Ateneo will open its Pinoyliga campaign against the Our Lady of Fatima Phoenix on August 16 at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The game will mark Ateneo’s first preseason outing since its victory over Adamson in the 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup last June 6.
UAAP Season 89 is set to open on September 12.
