Raffy Celis and Michael Ateneo Blue Eagles. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo has secured the commitments of a couple of rising stars from Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in Raffy Celis and Michael Asoro.
The acquisition of Celis and Asoro comes less than two weeks after another Ateneo de Cebu standout Jared Bahay committed to University of the Philippines.
“One of the limitations that we face as the Ateneo coaching staff is our ability to recruit players, which is affected by the academic process. We can confidently say that both of these guys possess the academic ability to be part of Ateneo,” Baldwin said.
“I would like to thank Sacred Heart School for everything you’ve done to bring these two young men to this point. We are very proud that they will be part of our program.”
The tandem of Celis and Asoro alongside Bahay steered the Magis Eagles to back-to-back CESAFI championships.
Celis and Asoro shone in the NBTC National Finals last month where Ateneo de Cebu lost in the semifinals to eventual champion National University-Nazareth School.
Celis, ranked 21st best high school player in the country by the NBTC, averaged 17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in the national open.
Asoro, meanwhile, averaged 17.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per outing.
The 6-foot-3 Celis and Asoro will backstop holdovers Kai Ballungay and Chris Koon as well as newcomers Mason Amos and Kyle Gamber