Last season, no one expected the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles to dethrone the Ben Mbala-anchored De La Salle University Green Archers.
This season, everyone wants to dethrone them.
The defending champions have stressed that their season had immediately started after December 3. However, their high was immediately brought down on opening day of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Tournament as the Adamson Soaring Falcons stunned them.
“Tulad nung sinabi ni coach Tab [Baldwin] sa amin, we need to be ready first and foremost and by being ready, we need to prepare so kung ano ginawa namin last season we did the same preparation. We watch video, all of that,” shared Ravena, who only had seven points on 3-for-12 shooting against Adamson. “Coming into the game, mahirap kasi lahat ‘to, kada team, bibigay na lahat kumbaga matalo lang kami.
“Ganun talaga… That’s why it’s harder to defend a championship than to win one.”
After an uncharacteristic debut, the Blue Eagles were able to show their championship form four days later, holding off the upstart University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 87-79. For his part, the 6-foot-2 forward bounced back, taking the lead for Ateneo with 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and a block.
But just like their game against Adamson, their game against UP was intense. And the fourth-year Blue Eagle expects the same level of intensity against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Saturday and every game after.
“Each and every game is the most important game tulad nga ng sinabi ni coach Tab, we take it one game at a time. Every single game is our championship game,” he admitted.
“Yung last game namin it was bad but we need to improve on it. Kahit panalo kami, there’s still a lot of stuff that we can improve on for next game because FEU is tough team also.”
