While striving to keep their Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin is also on a determined quest to secure one of the brightest Fil-Am prospects today.
Fil-Am forward Malakai Harris of the Benedictine University Redhawks — who brings extensive NCAA Division II experience from his stints with the Chadron State Eagles and Arizona Western College — has drawn interest not only from the Blue Eagles but also from other UAAP programs.
At present, Ateneo appears to be the frontrunner to land Harris, as the 6-foot-6 forward was spotted behind the Blue Eagles’ bench during their do-or-die clash against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
While Harris has yet to make a formal commitment and continues to weigh offers from other UAAP schools, he admitted that he felt impressed with the winning culture Baldwin has cultivated during his 10-year tenure with Ateneo.
“I’m not yet training with them. I have just been watching their team play and enjoying the atmosphere. I came out here to see the culture, and that’s about it. I’m loving it so far,” Harris told Tiebreaker Times in an exclusive interview.
Just a week into his stay in the Philippines and his exposure to Ateneo, Harris revealed that he has already gained valuable basketball knowledge — not only from top players like fellow Fil-Am talents Jaden Lazo, Dominic Escobar, and Kymani Ladi but also from Baldwin himself.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Just learning how to play harder, learning his complicated defensive schemes, and his no-quit mentality so far. I love it,” Harris shared.
For Harris, this trip is about more than experiencing Ateneo’s culture in Katipunan. It is also a homecoming of sorts and a chance to reconnect with and honor his Filipino roots.
His pursuit of joining the Blue Eagles — or any UAAP program — is a way to pay tribute to the Filipino legacy of his mother and grandparents, who all hail from the Ilocos Region.
“It would be a huge honor to play here in the Philippines. I’m Filipino, so it would be a huge moment for me to come out and showcase my talents,” Harris said.
“I’ve been here in the Philippines for about a week. I love it here — the people, the fans, the atmosphere, the team. It’s great.”
When asked about his confidence in suiting up for Baldwin and Ateneo, Harris kept it simple:
“I’m just hoping I can [wear their jersey], that’s it.”
