INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – A few days before beginning their title defense, the Ateneo Blue Eagles are in search of somebody to step and fill in the shoes of former team captain Chris Tiu.

“We’re trying to find a leader since Chris left,” said point guard Eric Salamat.

Tiu, playing in his final season, helped steer Ateneo against fierce rival De La Salle in a 2-0 sweep of last year’s finals.

Forward Luis Lorenzo Gonzaga agrees, saying no one is leading the team yet and that this is something he and his teammates need to work on.

“We have to work hard on our communication. Sometimes we’re not on the same page,” added shooting guard Kirk Long.

But the Blue Eagles still boast of having one of the most intact lineups with last year’s MVP Rabeh Al-Husaini, Finals MVP Nonoy Baclao and Rookie of the Year Ryan Buenafe.

Sweet-shooting point guard Jai Reyes will also be playing in his final season.
“We’re one of the few teams that are intact. The core players are still here like Rabeh and (Ryan) Buenafe,” said Reyes.

However, Reyes said that they need to overcome too much confidence when playing. “We could be our own biggest enemy because we can be overconfident,” he said.

Al-Hussaini said they always keep in mind coach Norman Black’s most important lesson. “He always tells us defense means championship. So I have to do the same thing I did last season,” he said.