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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider With no expectations, Ateneo makes early statement in Season 88

With no expectations, Ateneo makes early statement in Season 88

Published Sep 29, 2025 04:00 pm

At A Glance

  • Before UAAP Season 88 tipped off, veteran coach Tab Baldwin was candid about Ateneo entering the men's basketball tournament without high expectations.
But that doesn't mean the Blue Eagles -- who finished at the bottom of the standings in Season 87 with a 4-10 record -- were going to let their opponents clip their wings.
(UAAP Media)
(UAAP Media)
Before UAAP Season 88 tipped off, veteran coach Tab Baldwin was candid about Ateneo entering the men’s basketball tournament without high expectations.
But that doesn’t mean the Blue Eagles -- who finished at the bottom of the standings in Season 87 with a 4-10 record -- were going to let their opponents clip their wings.
According to Baldwin, the team is full of optimism and determination despite being labeled as underdogs -- and so far, it’s paying off.
Just like in years past, Ateneo now sits atop the standings with a 3-0 record following a convincing 77-58 win over Adamson at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday evening, Sept. 28.
However, Baldwin made it clear he has no plans of letting the team’s strong start get to their heads, knowing full well that surprises are bound to happen throughout the season.
“We just had to play games and kind of see where we're at. But I still think that all the teams in the league are still trying to figure out where everybody is at,” said Baldwin.
“But I don't believe either of us will be 7-0 at the turn. I just think the league has a lot of surprises to offer this year and I wouldn't even try to guess what those surprises will be,” he added.
Ateneo’s 3-0 start marks its best run since Season 84 when the team opened with a 13-0 record behind the leadership of Ange Kouame and SJ Belangel.
Beyond their impressive shooting, the Blue Eagles soared by exposing weaknesses in the Falcons’ defense -- particularly on offense -- as Adamson had previously held its last opponents to under 60 points.
“I think in the second half we hit on all cylinders. Our shooting improved from 37 percent in the first half to 49 percent in the second, so we must have shot at an extremely high percentage,” Baldwin said.
“We were more patient, executed better, and the guys knocked down their shots,” he added.
With guard Jared Bahay embracing a leadership role, the Katipunan-based squad has leaned on its one-and-done players Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, and Jaden Lazo, who have all delivered impressive performances on both ends of the court.
“The maturity that they bring is, first and foremost, really important,” said Baldwin. “And I think we are growing as a team, partly because of the maturity that these guys bring.”
“But every level in this league, you know, there's a test and whatever we're doing well, it's going to be tested,” he added.
Ateneo takes a week-long break before facing a daunting challenge against longtime rival La Salle on Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

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Tab Baldwin Ateneo Blue Eagles UAAP Season 88
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