Photo from Mason Amos’ Instagram
MANILA, Philippines—Already an invincible side, Ateneo added another weapon to their armory.
Ateneo on Monday announced it secured the commitment of Fil-Australian big man Mason Amos, who will suit up for the Blue Eagles beginning the UAAP Season 86 in 2023.
“This is the signing of a big man that has—in the modern game today—perimeter skills that we love to see particularly in our program here at the Ateneo,” Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin said Monday during a media briefing. “Mason gives us that inside, outside presence. He’s a big strong player, he’s an aggressive player as many Australians are. We love that quality about him.”
“I had a lot of other schools offer me, but I felt like Ateneo was the place that I would develop the most and that I can really excel with education so that’s like the main reason why I chose Ateneo,” said Amos, who attended Ateneo High School a few years back.
Amos, 18, is currently a high school senior in Brisbane, Australia and “will have the full five years of eligibility,” as per Baldwin.
The Blue Eagles, who are on track for a fourth straight UAAP title this year, are on a 37-game winning streak dating back to October 2018. They are 11-0 this season.
“I think Mason gives us something that we don’t have right now. He gives us a guy that can play both big men positions and also I think once you see him, he also has the ability to evolve into a three-man internationally,” Baldwin said.
The 6-foot-7 Amos, who was born to a Filipino father and Fil-American mother, is also eligible to play for Gilas Pilipinas having been part of the Gilas Youth squad that was supposed to compete in the Fiba U16 Asian Championship.
“I’ve always wanted to play for the Philippines and represent. It’s been one of my goals moving forward,” Amos said.