Team Ateneo bags PCCL championship

“I take my pleasure from the relationships that I have with the players and the joy I get watching them enjoy their successes.” – ADMU Head Coach Tab Baldwin (File Photo: Philippine Collegiate Champions’ League/Facebook)

Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles’ head coach Tab Baldwin found another reason to celebrate last Monday, January 28, as his team dominates the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lacers for the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) President’s Cup crown at the Filoil Flying V Arena with the score ending at 95-71.

Isaac Go led his team with 15 points, three rebounds, and one steal, even though he fouled out during the fourth quarter. Bryan Andrade was the second-highest pointer contributing 13, while Thirdy Ravena also chipped in 12 during his 18 minutes inside the game. Teammates Romulo Berjay and Samjosef Belangel contributed 12 and 10 points to the Blue Eagles respectively.

As for their opponents, reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Rey Suerte lived up to his title with 26 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals, while teammate Bassieu Sackor had a double-double at 16 points and 12 rebounds. Jose Segumpan performed as well with 14 points, four rebounds, and two steals, but it was not enough to take the trophy back home to Cebu.

Ateneo had a spectacular last two years under the leadership of Coach Tab Baldwin, previously acquiring two University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) titles, the 2018 Smart City Hoops Summer Classic, the 2018 Filoil Chooks-to-Go Preseason Cup, and the 2018 Smart Breakdown Basketball Invitationals before getting the 2019 PCCL crown. In response to that, Baldwin shared, “I didn’t realize that (we had the most successful year of any Ateneo basketball team). Well, I guess I should be proud, but really, I take my pleasure from the relationships that I have with the players and the joy I get watching them enjoy their successes. They have been and continue to be a special group of quality young men.”