To the Eaglets of Katip

September 29, 2007

A few mins ago, i had the opportunity to watch the Blue Eaglets in action for the first time. I got so hyped up by the fact that they had lost only once after two rounds of elimination in the UAAP Juniors division. The Juniors team has a great history of winning. In my highschool days, we won 2 out of my 4 years stay. Big thanks to some of my batchmates Jai Reyes, Paolo Dizon, Anton Perez, Jotham Manlapas, Carlo Medina, Miguel Abellada, Mike Fernandez and the rest of the Champion Eaglets for bringing pride to the school just before we graduated in 2005. Highschool basketball is no different from the college ranks. Actually, the battle for pride is even more fierce in highschool since it is in this stage where the emotional aspect of teens are at its peak. Win or Lose was not an option. When your in 4th year, you don't get to say "We'll do better next year,".
Sadly, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets lost to La Salle Zobel in overtime. As in all the Ateneo - La Salle matches this year, it was to-to-toe...a nail-biter! In a nutshell, Ateneo as usual, got to a quick start and led by as much as 6 points. But then La Salle's shooters and athletic bigmen began a rampage that eventually ended the first half with Ateneo ahead by a measly 1 point. It was the same story althroughout till Zobel began humming with the leadership of their clutch guards. Ateneo remained unfazed and attacked viciously led by scoring guard Tiongson and streak-shooting Banal. La Salle just kept on pounding, led by veteran sensation Joshua Webb. The game seemed to be over till prized rookie Kiefer Ravena literally put the Eaglets on his shoulders and brought them to the brink of victory. Leading by 3 with a few seconds left, it seemed that Ateneo would live to play another game. But no. Manguerra(?), Zobel's big man, was given a clear shot at the basket, which he swished with ease as the buzzer sounded. OVERTIME. And the rest is history. The almost perfect season, down the drain. (The game featured sons/relatives of PBA greats such two Capacio's sons of Ely and Glenn, a Ravena son of Bong, Banal son of ex-Ateneo Champion coach Joel, and even the grandson of boxing great Flash Elorde)
Comments: The Eaglets' bigmen are too slow. I don't know why, but why is Ateneo always left with hefty big men who lack athleticism. If La Salle gets Joshua Webb (which is probably most likely since he's from a La Sallian family of Webbs) they will be a force to reckon with for sure. He has major HOPS. He did 20 boards earlier. And above all, he plays with heart. I do hope he pulls off a BJM and transfers to Ateneo.
A good note for Ateneo though is Kiefer Ravena. I've never seen such talent from a freshman guard since BJ Manalo. He's what, 13 years? He can score from outside, and he drives to the basket like there's no tomorrow. Bright future for sure. Imagine him two-three years from now. He'l be a Phenom by then and probably even surpass his father's (Bong Ravena) greatness. He needs to bulk up a bit though, and should be surrounded by talented and athletic players. (He has a 9.5 ppg clip, but he did 20pts in the game a while ago)
So, to the Eaglets of Katip, there's still next year. Your future is in good hands. For the graduating players and students, be proud, get into the Loyola Schools and cheer for the Eagles, besides, we're all in one big team right? Fight for the Blue and White.
Go Ateneo!
PS: Congratulations to the lady Eagles for bagging the Season 70 Women's Championship crown.