MANILA, Philippines — Since the Aurora tragedy that claimed the lives of their teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili last June, the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles have always wanted to play in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament for their fallen teammates.
In fact, the Blue Eagles will wear their jerseys with the RB l DA (Baterbonia and Adili initials) black patches for the rest of the season which opens on September 13.
"Ever since the accident happened, that’s really what has been on their minds—to dedicate this year to those guys. It’s truly something that’s in their hearts," said Ateneo interim head coach Louie Alas to reporters following the league's kick-off presser Tuesday.
Aside from dedicating the season to their late teammates, Alas said the Blue Eagles want to play for their healing.
They have suffered, or are still suffering, from survivor's guilt, after all.
"As I’ve said, we just want to enjoy what God has given us, what the UAAP has given us—the opportunity to be here and play," said Alas, whose son and player Kieffer was one of the personalities that was heavily-criticized in the ill-fated training camp.
"Of course, this is also part of our healing process. It will be easier for us to heal if we win. There are no expectations. We’re prioritizing our mental well-being first. We just don’t want to enter a game when we’re not ready."
A former assistant to resigned head coach Tab Baldwin, whom the league banned for allegedly being responsible for the Aurora training camp, Alas said he just couldn't let his players down.
That and he's not one to back down from a challenge.
"For me, when the incident happened, I was ready to go because we all know about command responsibility. But when one of the priests approached me and asked if I would be okay serving as the temporary coach, I told him, 'Father, it’s not in my personality to back down from challenges'," said Alas.
"When I saw the players, how could I leave them? As I told you, I was ready to go, ready to retire, but given the situation, I don’t think any coach would walk away. I told you that I only wanted to be an assistant coach because I didn’t want to be a head coach anymore. But this is what God has given me, and I’m ready to accept the challenge."
Serving as assistants to Alas are his former players RJ Jazul and Kerby Raymundo.
Ateneo opens its campaign against the University of the East on September 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
