Two days after getting the commitment of Fil-Australian Mason Amos, Ateneo continues to rack up talents for the future.
This as the Blue Eagles secured another blue-chip recruit in Fil-Canadian transferee Albert Opeña Jr.
“We feel very blessed and delighted to announce that Albert Opeña has committed to Ateneo,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin in the Wednesday night media briefing where team manager Epok Quimpo was also present.
“Albert impresses very much. He’s a big guard, very very strong he’s well built, he’s got great quick feet, quick hands so we like a lot what his game presents,” added the decorated mentor.
The recruitment was made possible by alumnus Jojo Dela Rama, who sent the video clips of Opeña to Ateneo.
Opeña will have to serve a one-year residency in Season 85 before being eligible for Season 86. The 6-foot-3 combo guard will have four playing years in the league.
“I am excited to work hard. I’m excited. We’re on!” said the newest Blue Eagle.
The 20-year-old cager, whose father hailed from Nueva Vizcaya and mother hailed from Pasig, will need to sit out one season as he has already played college ball at St. Lawrence College in Ottawa.
There, Opeña put up modest numbers of 8.2 points on 44.1 percent from the field and a high 40.6 percent from deep, to go with 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 18 outings.
But Baldwin had seen enough in a “fairly informal workout”, a scrimmage with Opeña where the latter showed his great court vision combined with his scoring prowess.
Obviously, ball movement is a big part of the Blue Eagles’ success in their three consecutive championships and now, their ongoing 12-0 undefeated campaign.
This Season 84, Ateneo is leading in the assists department with an average of 20.5 in 12 outings.
“Albert will attest to the fact that as soon as the scrimmage is over, I immediately walked over to him, shook his hand, and said welcome to Ateneo,” said Baldwin.
“That’s how it went. I didn’t ask if he was going any place else, I said welcome to Ateneo. I didn’t leave the door open for anything else.”
