Ateneo de Manila University will officially return to preseason action on Sunday.
The Blue Eagles, who last played an official game on June 6 in the 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, will take on NAASCU side Our Lady of Fatima University in the opening round of the 2026 Pinoyliga Big Dance at their home floor, the Blue Eagle Gym.
Tip-off is at 8:00 AM.
Ateneo has not played an official preseason game since its win over Adamson two months ago, following the tragic team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8 that claimed the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia.
After the UAAP cleared the Blue Eagles to play in Season 89, they are now pressed for time with the season set to begin on September 12.
Louie Alas will make his head coaching debut in the tournament, alongside his new assistant coaches and former Letran players RJ Jazul and Kerby Raymundo.
Rookies Kieffer Alas and Jay-M Leal will look to adjust to the elder Alas’ system.
Other new faces on the Blue Eagles roster are one-and-done players Travis Roberts and EJ Kapihe, as well as Logan Baltazar, Matt de Luna, Grayson Rogers, and Sultan Baruwa.
Returning to the team are Jared Bahay, Ian Espinosa, Shawn Tuano, Kyle Gamber, Andrew Bongo, Michael Asoro, Alden Cainglet, and Sam Reyes.
Tickets will be available at the Blue Eagle Gym ticket booth on gameday.
Other games scheduled for Sunday are Diliman College versus Mapua University, University of Perpetual Help versus UBIX Colleges, Manila Central University versus Enderun Colleges, and San Pablo College versus Cordillera Career Development College.
The winner of the Ateneo-Fatima game will face the winner of the College of Saint Benilde-San Pedro College of Business Administration matchup in the next round.
