With the parents of fallen brothers Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia in attendance for Ateneo de Manila University’s debut in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, the Blue Eagles made sure their opening game would end with a win.
That was the only result they had in mind. There was no other recourse.
Carrying their fallen brothers in their hearts and minds, Ateneo delivered a 101-74 statement win over the University of the East on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles had the chance to meet and talk to Adili’s parents on Tuesday, after they arrived in the Philippines from Nigeria the day before.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“The other day, we met them. We talked, nagkamustahan kami, and after that, after everything, I just told them na the whole season, we dedicate it to Divine and Rene,” said captain Jared Bahay.
“Pinarinig ko sa lahat ng teammates ko na ’yun ’yung sinabi ko para alam din nila na bawal tayong matalo ngayon kasi nandiyan sila.”
Bahay not only led as Ateneo’s captain but also led by example on the court, scoring 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field to back up hotshot rookie Kieffer Alas.
Alas, meanwhile, unloaded 24 points and four rebounds in just 20 minutes and 23 seconds of playing time, finishing with a plus-28 plus-minus.
For the highly touted rookie, the visit of Adili’s parents served as a reminder for the Blue Eagles to continue playing well for their fallen teammates.
“Especially after our kamustahan with the parents, I feel like that lifted our spirits even more. I feel like going into it, we were medyo thinking of how we will adjust to the crowd compared to our preseason. It’s gonna be different, of course; this is UAAP,” said Alas.
“But once we met them, I feel like it lifted our spirits even more as a team. So, especially with their support, knowing what we’ve been through, it’s just happy. It’s just nakakatuwa kasi they have our backs.”
