Ateneo High School’s basketball program has faced significant challenges in the post-pandemic era of the UAAP.
When high school tournaments resumed in Season 85, the Blue Eagles endured a historic setback, missing the Final Four for the first time in school history. They finished with a 5-9 record, placing fifth overall.
Things took a turn for the worse in the following season as Ateneo slid to seventh place with a 4-10 record — the program’s lowest finish to date.
Despite the struggles, there were a few bright spots during this period, most notably Kristian Porter’s emergence.
This season, during the first-ever Junior High School Basketball Tournament, another promising talent took flight in the Eagles’ nest: Zane Kallos.
Although Ateneo narrowly missed the Final Four with another 5-9 record, the 16-year-old Kallos, son of former San Sebastian head coach John Kallos, delivered a stellar individual campaign.
He averaged 18.46 points, 13.23 rebounds, 5.15 assists, 1.92 steals, and 0.46 blocks per game, earning him the tournament MVP honor.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sobrang saya at grateful kay Coach Ford (Arao) at Coach RA (Reggie Aromin) kasi binigyan nila ako ng support, at lalo na sa teammates ko dahil lagi nila ako pinu-push para maging better,” said the 6-foot winger.
But the 16-and-under tournament won’t be the last we’ll see of Kallos this season.
The young star is expected to join the Blue Eagles’ 19-and-under team, which will compete in the High School Boys’ Tournament starting on January 19. Despite being one of the youngest players in the competition, Kallos is already gearing up for the challenge.
“Ine-expect ko sa sarili ko na matuto sa bagong teammates ko at makakalaban ko para sa ikai-improve ko as a player,” he shared, as he looks forward to teaming up with Ziv Espinas and going head-to-head against talents like De La Salle Zobel’s Kieffer Alas.
“Malayo pa ako at madami pa dapat matutunan,” he added, staying grounded as he prepares for the tougher competition ahead.
