Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo has been used to winning so much that for half a decade the UAAP basketball landscape remained under its blue mantle.
But it was back in 2012 when the Blue Eagles last raised the UAAP trophy, and even though they haven’t won the title since then, Ateneo still remained a dangerous contender.
On Sunday though, De La Salle University gave Ateneo a heavy dose of reality. A 98-66 beatdown in the preseason to be exact.
Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin said the Green Archers are on another level right now and after their loss in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, he realized they are lagging behind.
“They’re setting the bar right now and it is up to us to develop ourselves to that level,” said Baldwin.
La Salle failed to enter the Final Four in the 78th UAAP Season but the core of the team remained intact with Jeron Teng, Jason Perkins, and Prince Rivero still in the fold. Apart from their mainstays, the Archers also have Nigerian import Ben Mbala a handful of promising rookies in Mark Dyke, Ricci Rivero, and Aljun Melecio.
With that talent from top to bottom, La Salle is the consensus title favorite heading into the next season.
Managing that star power is disciplinarian head coach Aldin Ayo, who is fresh from winning the NCAA title with Letran.
“La Salle is very well-coached, Aldin is doing a very good job with his system and he’s also applying his philosophy,” said Baldwin. “The players have bought in and they’re a well-oiled machine and it’s very early.”