By NIKOLE JAVIER
Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin expects nothing short of the best for his graduating players in Finals Most Valuable Player Ange Kouame, Mythical Five Dave Ildefonso and team captain BJ Andrade.
The three seniors have all lived up to their billing in the Blue Eagles’ championship run and Baldwin couldn’t help but give them a send-off showered with generous compliments and credit.
At the second time of asking this year, the coveted UAAP title — Ateneo’s 12th in the men’s basketball tournament — belonged to the weary trio.
“They’ll all play professional, and I think that you might see very diverse paths for them,” said Baldwin.
Baldwin sees a couple of options for naturalized Gilas Pilipinas player Kouame. For him, the big man could be suiting up as an import in the PBA, or pursuing the greener pastures in Europe or in neighboring Japan.
Ildefonso, on the other hand, will be seeing action in the Korean Basketball League for the Suwon KT Sonicboom according to multiple reports.
But the homegrown Ildefonso has yet to make the official announcement this week.
However, the 22-year-old didn't deny the growing suspicions with his recent Instagram story on Tuesday, Dec. 20, where he shared an illustration of himself and former Blue Eagle SJ Belangal reunited in the KBL with the latter currently seeing minutes for the Daegu Kogas Pegasus.
Meanwhile, for Baldwin, Andrade’s leadership and winning attitude could get him far in his future basketball career.
“Ange of course can’t play in the PBA. But he’s gonna be good enough to play as an import. And we’ll have to try and figure out, help him with his future, maybe in Europe. I don’t know maybe somebody in Japan will think he’s good enough to play as an import role over there. Still got some work to do on his offensive game. But he’s gonna be a pro for another 10-12 years,” added Baldwin.
“Dave’s got an announcement coming up. So, that’s exciting. He’s gonna be an excellent pro. And if I can just say that any coach that’s out there listening, you want a winner in your team? You wanna gather defense and shoot the ball, do whatever you say run through brick walls for you? Love his teammates? Get BJ Andrade.”
Earlier in the season, Ildefonso and Andrade were called out by the 64-year-old tactician with his “lazy leaders” remarks.
Since then, the duo got back to work and brought what was expected of them to the table - resulting in a UAAP title and one proud mentor.