INQUIRER Sports

A CHAMPIONSHIP HANGOVER IS THE least of Ateneo’s worries.

With a lineup still loaded in all positions and a coach proud of his team’s focus, the Blue Eagles remain formidable in their bid for a second straight UAAP championship.

“We have the nucleus of the team last year,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black. “The main thing for us is just to maintain our focus and concentration and not to live in the past.”

The confidence stems from the return of reigning MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini, top defensive player Nonoy Baclao and last season’s Rookie of the Year Ryan Buenafe.

Wily guards Eric Salamat, Jai Reyes and American Kirk Long are also returning for the Eagles, one of the few teams spared from the mass departure of veteran players this season.

And by the looks of it, the Eagles just might replicate the dominance and chemistry that helped them win all but one elimination game before sweeping fierce rival La Salle in the best-of-three Finals last year.

There’s hardly a leadership void even with the graduation of Chris Tiu as Black points to the improved skills and maturity of his wards.

“Hopefully we can make up for the difference [Tiu and Yuri Escueta] made last year,” said Black, who can also count on former Eaglets Juami Tiongon and Frank Golla, a national youth team member, and Benedictine International School’s Christian De Chavez.

“I’ve always said that the team that can improve over the course of the league is the team that will probably win the championship,” said Black, now on his fifth year with the Eagles.