UAAP: Ateneo still far from desired form, coach admits

Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Louie Alas speaks with the media during a press conference ahead of UAAP Season 89.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo coach Louie Alas remained candid when asked about the Blue Eagles’ readiness for the upcoming UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.

The seasoned tactician called a spade a spade, saying his squad is still nowhere near the rest of the league.

READ: UAAP SCHEDULE: Season 89 men’s basketball tournament

“It remains to be seen what’ll happen to us. My assessment, though, is that the week before the season is very important,” said Alas, who was appointed interim coach after Tab Baldwin resigned and was eventually handed an unappealable lifetime ban by the league in relation to the drowning incident.

“We’re still not on the same level as these UAAP teams, so we need to improve drastically.”

The Blue Eagles dealt with uncertainties during the offseason with their participation in Season 89 put in limbo following the tragic deaths of their players, Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, during the team’s training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora last June.

Ateneo was only given the green light to play by the UAAP last month.

“We’re still in the stage of preparing. As I’ve said before, we’ve only played a few games in the offseason. We’re so behind when it comes to games,” said Alas, a three-time NCAA champion coach whose son and Ateneo rookie, Kieffer, is among the players to watch out for this season. 

READ: Ateneo faces a challenge with new system under Alas

Ateneo was able to play several games in preseason tournaments that gave Alas a glimpse of how the team is shaping up.

“At times, we didn’t have Jared or Ian so we call the next man up always. We can’t say this is just for Jared or EJ, everybody, everyone, can think. It’s hard to scout [against us],” he said, referring to crack point guard Jared Bahay, team captain Ian Espinosa and 6-foot-6 Fil-Hawaiian forward EJ Kapihe.

Ateneo begins its campaign on Wednesday against University of the East at Mall of Asia Arena.