Ateneo de Manila University’s 0-6 start in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament marks the worst in school history.
Struggling to regain their footing in the post-pandemic era of UAAP boys’ basketball, the Blue Eagles have faced growing pains under first-year head coach and alumnus Ford Arao.
Once a powerhouse in UAAP high school basketball, Ateneo now finds itself at the bottom of the standings. But is it time to hit the panic button?
Not at all, says the former Blue Eagle.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
After finally breaking a 12-game losing streak with an 85-73 victory over the University of the Philippines Integrated School to close the first round at 1-6, Arao acknowledged that these struggles are part of the team’s growth.
“May mga times na bumababa pa [morale] kasi hindi kami nananalo. Nandoon kami throughout the game, pero dadating yung time na bibitaw kami, which is ‘yon yung nakakababa ng morale for us,” Arao admitted.
“Pero lagi ko rineremind yung mga bata na you just need to be positive, you just need to keep on learning, improve, and be patient. Then we go to the next game with a new mindset and hoping na every game, we continue to adopt a better mindset,” he continued.
Though it took six games to secure his first win as Ateneo’s head coach, Arao believes the timing couldn’t have been better.
The victory serves as a crucial confidence booster as the Blue Eagles prepare for the second round.
The former Meralco Bolt remains optimistic about Ateneo’s ability to turn things around and push for a Final Four berth.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Despite their record, the Blue Eagles have been competitive in most of their games, often faltering in the clutch.
However, the road ahead won’t be easy. Ateneo opens the second round with a tough stretch against defending champions Adamson Baby Falcons, FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, University of the East Junior Warriors, and University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs.
“Sana ito yung momentum namin going into the second round, hoping kami na yung performance namin sa second round will be a lot better than the first round. Sinasabi ko kasi sa mga bata na nandoon kayo lagi sa game ‘eh, kaso at some point bumibitaw kayo,” said the former Blue Eagle.
“Kailangan namin itong panalo na ito para hopefully magbigay sa amin ng kumpyansa at maging fuel namin going into the next round.”
