Once a staple in the postseason, Ateneo de Manila University found itself in unfamiliar territory in the post-pandemic era of UAAP boys’ basketball.
The Blue Eagles — the league’s winningest boys’ basketball program with 19 championships — had gone from perennial contenders to outsiders. In Season 85, Ateneo fell just short of a Final Four berth, finishing fifth.
Seasons 86 and 87 proved even more challenging, as the Blue Eagles skidded to back-to-back seventh-place finishes — their lowest stretch in recent memory. For a program steeped in winning tradition, it was a sobering reality check.
Under new head coach Bacon Austria — himself an Atenean through and through — however, the challenge became an opportunity: a chance to lead Ateneo back to the summit of UAAP boys’ basketball.
The transformation took a significant step forward as Ateneo clinched a Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament, defeating defending champion University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday at the storied Blue Eagle Gym.
“Of course, I’m happy for the program more than anything else. I returned to coaching because of the program, not just for myself or anyone else. So, you mentioned, I think the last time was 2020, right before the pandemic,” Austria said, reflecting on the Blue Eagles’ return to the Final Four for the first time since Season 82.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For the Ateneo faithful, the turnaround may seem sudden, but Austria, son of PBA champion coach Leo Austria, sees it differently.
As much as praise and glory come his way for Ateneo’s resurgence alongside Far Eastern University-Diliman, National University Nazareth School, and De La Salle Zobel, Austria was quick to credit those who steadied the ship during the program’s most challenging years.
Former head coaches Reggie Varilla and Ford Arao navigated the tough times, recruited top-tier talent, developed raw prospects, and elevated what it means to represent Ateneo basketball.
“With the help of the coaches, the previous coaches, Coach Ford, Coach Reg, and most of the players they recruited. So, we’re celebrating this entrance to the final four, small celebration because we’re not done. I take it with them since they’re a big part of the success right now,” Austria shared.
It was indeed a collective effort: Varilla recruited the duo of Jay-M Leal and Ziv Espinas, while Arao brought in Noah Banal and Audwyn Tamayo. Then Nigerian center Jude Eriobu was convinced to join the Blue Eagles with help from the men’s program, spearheaded by team manager Epok Quimpo and head coach Tab Baldwin.
Austria readily admits he simply maximized the tools already in his hands, expressing gratitude for inheriting the right pieces and ensuring they were used properly in pursuit of a record-extending 20th UAAP boys’ basketball title.
“It’s a collective effort. As much as I want people to praise me, I deflected to the people who are behind the recruitment. I’m just lucky also that I have given the right tools and I just made sure that the tools are used properly,” Austria said.
The work, however, is far from over. Ateneo, currently sitting at 9-3 with two elimination round games remaining, still has a shot at securing a twice-to-beat advantage, trailing joint league leaders NUNS and FEU-D (10-3) by just one game.
With the UPIS Fighting Maroons and the Baby Tamaraws left on its schedule, Austria emphasized that Ateneo must tighten its defense in preparation for the physicality of the Final Four.
“We really have to step up on defense. In the playoffs, it’s definitely harder to score. It’s always like that. Either the refs let you play, or it’s just harder to shoot because of pressure. Players are tight,” Austria explained.
“Our work doesn’t stop here. Kasi may chance pa kami mag-twice-to-beat. I think that’s our second goal. Hopefully, we could get that twice to beat. I think there’s still a chance because we have two more games. So, I think that’s the next goal.”
