All signs seem to point at SJ Belangel assuming the role as Ateneo’s top gun following the departure of its multititled core led by Thirdy Ravena.
While it’s too early for him to define roles for the next UAAP season when the Blue Eagles shoot for a fourth consecutive crown, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin admits Belangel has made a huge leap in his game over the past year.
The Bacolod City-born Belangel provided signs of things to come by hitting big shots in last season’s UAAP finals against University of Santo Tomas.
But it was in Ateneo’s run to a fifth title in Philippine Collegiate Champions League last month when the 5-foot-10 guard showcased his readiness for a bigger role with the Eagles, averaging 18.2 points, 2.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds en route to most valuable player honors. “We’re a long way from hammering out roles and playing minutes positionally, but he (Belangel) has played some excellent games and played some important minutes for us,” Baldwin said.
With Jolo Mendoza unable to see action last season, Belangel found himself as the lead backup to Matt Nieto in the Eagles’ rotation. Belangel thrived on both ends, clamping down on top guards like Mark Nonoy, while running the offense. “He was already a talent out of high school and we’re seeing that evolution for me as we’re supposed to,” Baldwin said, referring to Belangel, who will be playing his third season for Ateneo this year.
“But he might be ahead of schedule in terms of his development and it’s good that he’s stepping up and comfortable in big situations.”
Belangel’s father, Sammy, was a varsity star in Bacolod in the 1990s and Baldwin believes SJ has benefitted greatly from his father’s influence.
“I think it’s his nature to be competitive and he got it from his dad, but we also need to continue developing him,” Baldwin said of the former UAAP juniors star. INQ