Raffy Celis, Michael Asoro commit to UAAP reigning champ Ateneo
Published Apr 10, 2023 10:13 am
UAAP men’s basketball defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles will not be left behind in the recruitment scene as they secured the addition of Raffy Celis and Michael Asoro to the team.
The sister school Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Grade 12 standouts Celis and Asoro have officially made their commitment on Monday, April 10, in a press conference held at the school’s campus in Mandaue City.
*Newly recruited Raffy Celis Michael Asoro with Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.*
Last year, the duo steered the Magis Eagles to back-to-back titles in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI). The 6-foot-3 Celis, who made it to the Mythical Team of the recently concluded 2023 Smart-NBTC National Finals, posted 17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.8 asssits and 1.0 steals per game counts. The Bacolod-native wing also saw action in the tournament’s All-Star Game. "Gustong-gusto ko talaga mag-Ateneo hindi lamang dahil sa basketball -- madami ako matutunan sa life at lalo na being under Coach Tab (Baldwin)," Celis said. "I also graduated from Ateneo. Blue planted blue." The Blue Eagles lost the services of their veterans in Finals MVP Ange Kouame, Dave Ildefonso and BJ Andrade who have all graduated. The 6-foot-2 Asoro, for his part, was also part of the NBTC All-Star and averaged huge numbers of 17.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in the national finals. “Gusto ko talaga mag-Ateneo kasi gustong gusto ko talaga dati na makalaro at maka-graduate sa Ateneo,” he said. "Alam ko na hindi lang basketball 'yung ituturo sa amin pati sa life and academics rin." The high school standouts were personally welcomed by Ateneo head tactician Tab Baldwin who made the trip to Cebu for the addition of the reliable duo in his championship-winning system. "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 Ateneom,” 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.” Ateneo will be led by holdovers sophomore Kai Ballungay and Chris Koon, as well as fellow newcomers in promising talent Mason Amos and Kyle Gamber.
*Newly recruited Raffy Celis Michael Asoro with Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.*
Last year, the duo steered the Magis Eagles to back-to-back titles in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI). The 6-foot-3 Celis, who made it to the Mythical Team of the recently concluded 2023 Smart-NBTC National Finals, posted 17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.8 asssits and 1.0 steals per game counts. The Bacolod-native wing also saw action in the tournament’s All-Star Game. "Gustong-gusto ko talaga mag-Ateneo hindi lamang dahil sa basketball -- madami ako matutunan sa life at lalo na being under Coach Tab (Baldwin)," Celis said. "I also graduated from Ateneo. Blue planted blue." The Blue Eagles lost the services of their veterans in Finals MVP Ange Kouame, Dave Ildefonso and BJ Andrade who have all graduated. The 6-foot-2 Asoro, for his part, was also part of the NBTC All-Star and averaged huge numbers of 17.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in the national finals. “Gusto ko talaga mag-Ateneo kasi gustong gusto ko talaga dati na makalaro at maka-graduate sa Ateneo,” he said. "Alam ko na hindi lang basketball 'yung ituturo sa amin pati sa life and academics rin." The high school standouts were personally welcomed by Ateneo head tactician Tab Baldwin who made the trip to Cebu for the addition of the reliable duo in his championship-winning system. "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 Ateneom,” 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.” Ateneo will be led by holdovers sophomore Kai Ballungay and Chris Koon, as well as fellow newcomers in promising talent Mason Amos and Kyle Gamber.