Questions to the BLUE EAGLES!

Has it been a year already? A year since we last screamed our hearts out cheering for our Blue Eagles? A year since we rocked the Araneta Coliseum and the Philsports Arena as we pushed our Hail Mary squad into the UAAP semis despite losing team captain Larry Fonacier early in the season? A year since La Salle ended our dreams of another UAAP championship? Well, yes. It has been a year. And what a year it has been.

Co-captains Larry Fonacier and Paolo Bugia are gone, having completed their maximum five years of service to the Ateneo basketball team. Sandy Arespacochaga, the coach with the youthful features and fiery passion, has taken a back seat to one of the most decorated players/coaches in the history of the Philippine Basketball Association. It's true, Norman Black now calls the shots for the Blue Eagles. The one time "Mr. 100%" now brings all of his experience, knowledge, and insights on the game to the young men carrying the blue and white of the Ateneo. After all, Black won ten championships in the PBA, including the famed "Grand Slam" for San Miguel Beer in 1989. With Black firmly entrenched on the Blue Eagle bench, hopes are high that he can weave some of "that old Black magic" in Katipunan Avenue.

L.A. Tenorio, now undoubtedly the top point guard in amateur basketball, seemed to flirt with the idea of turning pro, yet changed his mind and is returning to quarterback our quintet. Alongside L.A., returning Eagles include "Baby Rocket" J.C. Intal, Magnum Membrere, Bajjie del Rosario, Doug Kramer, Ford Arao, Macky Escalona, Ken Barracoso, Martin Quimson, and lanky Japeth Aguilar. Sweet-shooting Chris Tiu is taking a course abroad this year, and leaves open the possibility of returning to the squad in the future. Elevated from the training team are Emmanuel Nazareno and Zion Laterre. The rookies are Rabeh T. Al-Hussaini from Philippine Christian University, and the exciting Jai Reyes of the famed Reyes basketball clan from Ateneo High School.

Now more than ever, all eyes will be focused on how L.A. and J.C. can handle the pressure of carrying the team. With Tiu gone, Membrere, Del Rosario, and even rookie Reyes might have to score a bunch from the wings. And, if Japeth Aguilar has gained some needed muscle as well as coaching tips from Coach Black, "the future of Ateneo basketball" might just arrive in the present.



A lot has been said about last year's UAAP season, from Larry's injury to the team's win streak, and eventual meltdown. The fact remains that the team went further than expected after losing as big a component as Fonacier. He wasn't just the best shooter on the team, he quite probably was the best defender, and best player on last year's quintet. Now, as Ateneo prepares to enter the 68th UAAP wars, a lot of alumni are already brushing off the season due to what they perceive to be "a weaker line-up." Though expectations might be considerably lower than they were entering UAAP season 67, make no mistake: Ateneo is serious about bringing home the bacon to Loyola Heights once more.



Several members of the Blue Eagle roster recently returned from attending the IMG Basketball Academy at the Bollettieri Campus in Bradenton, Florida. The camp is designed for total player development in both one's individual and team games. All aspects of the game are covered, be it the physical, tactical, mental, or technical elements. Some Blue Eagles were also recently spotted playing for Harbour Centre in the recently concluded PBL Unity Cup. L.A. Tenorio performed well enough to earn 2nd Mythical Team honors. Also, the team participated in the Fr. Martin Cup, a traditional warm-up to the UAAP cage wars.

If those aren't signs of how serious the team is preparing for the UAAP, then you must not be looking hard enough. On July 10, the Araneta Coliseum will open its gates once more for the hordes of Eagles clad in blue and white. On the opposite side, La Salle will be awaiting again, flashing their t-shirts as "2004 UAAP Champions." The great news is this: 2004 IS OVER. It's 2005 now. Only time and patience will tell if this group of Blue Eagles can climb the UAAP mountain once more. Can they face down not just La Salle, but UP, FEU, UE, UST, Adamson, and NU as well? Can Norman Black bring the Eagles back to the promised land? Can Japeth Aguilar and J.C. Intal bang bodies with the toughest players from other schools? Can Jai Reyes duplicate the success he had in high school? Can Bajjie del Rosario and Magnum Membrere summon up enough for one last gasp of glory wearing blue and white? Can L.A. Tenorio finally be crowned as "King Eagle"? On July 10, we begin to find out.

When that time comes, let our screams ring out in unison! One big fight!