The minute renowned sports commentator/ writer Quinito Henson broke news of 6"11 Fil-Am Greg Slaughter's intent to study and play for the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, the UAAP men's basketball title was already as good as won.For one, there wasn't any other player with the same physical attributes as Slaughter-- save for Ateneo's own project big man Justin Chua who could turn out to be the next Claiford Arao in a year or two. Also, the Eagles were adding a solid big man who was fresh from a stint with the SMART Gilas national team training pool to a team that just won three straight championships.
Then we find out that Ateneo's high school phenom Keifer Ravena was also going to play for Eagles to add to an already formidable backcourt.
Game over.
I mean seriously, there was not a single point in the season that people stopped and said, "hey, this other team can beat Ateneo in the Finals" -- okay, other than the optimistic/ crazed Pido Jarencio that is.
The one loss they suffered at the end of the double round eliminations was more their players choosing to take a game off rather than suffering any unwanted injuries. From Slaughter, Ravena to old reliables like Kirk Long (another wasted talent who won't suit up for the PBA or national team anyway) and the vastly improved Nico Salva.
Okay, I'll even throw "pocket rocket" Eman Monfort in that conversation just for all his supporters and because he has the most awkward monicker I've heard of from a basketball player.
And while I was rooting for teams to beat Ateneo at some point, we should all give credit where it's due. The Eagles played hard this season and dominated their opponents in a way that I've never seen before in the UAAP. It reminded me of the Sam Ekwe-era for San Beda when they would just obliterate teams (except the Gabby Espinas-Jayson Castro-Rob Sanz led PCU Dolphins of course) left and right.
Oh, and the one thing that separates this year's Eagles from the previous title winners? They're likable. From Slaughter's "gentle giant" persona to Ravena's "quiet arrogance," they just went out there and balled. No Wesley Gonzales "bang bang" gestures, no Rico Villanueva jersey popping or Eric Salamat's "salute"-- they just balled. Period.
I do hope that this team stays together and goes for that elusive FIVE-peat. They definitely have the guys, and at this rate, I don't see why or how chief financier Manny V. Pangilinan can't get bigger names both local and abroad to wear SMART Gilas/ Ateneo blue.
So congrats ADMU for bagging this year's title, and for your sake, I hope Norman Black stays on board for next season.
