Ateneo de Manila University is poised to commence UAAP Season 89, three months after the drowning deaths of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
This season, however, rather than carrying expectations of success, the Blue Eagles want simply to compete, and win, as they continue the healing process while honoring the lives of their fallen teammates.
The deaths of Adili and Baterbonia were followed by a tumultuous stretch that brought sweeping changes to the program, including the removal of multi-time UAAP champion Tab Baldwin as head coach and the appointment of his former deputy, Louie Alas, as interim head tactician.
The UAAP also suspended assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, Jon Jacinto, Buboy Domingo, CJ Elumba and Grant Dearns.
Kieffer Alas, a former UAAP boys' MVP who has returned to the Philippines from the U.S. to play under his father, Louie, said: "We want to first enjoy what God and the UAAP have given us, which is the opportunity to be here and play.
"Of course, this is part of our healing; it will be easier for us to heal if we win," he said during the league's press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday.
"Everybody knows what happened, so it's not easy. But we're very thankful, and we're very thankful to the UAAP family for allowing us to play. The mere fact that we're playing is a blessing."
On paper, there is little reason to doubt Ateneo's talent.
The Blue Eagles boast a formidable one-and-done prospect in Travis Roberts, a three-level scorer who brings much-needed athleticism to the lineup.
Some even view him as a potential PBA-ready prospect.
Ateneo's backcourt remains among the league's best, led by Jared Bahay, whose maturity could anchor the Blue Eagles throughout the season.
Alas, meanwhile, has emerged as the team's go-to player during the preseason.
And Ian Espinosa's steadiness and leadership off the bench, and Ateneo still has the pieces to be a competitive group despite everything it has endured.
"When I saw the players, how could I just walk away?" Alas, the father of Kieffer, said.
"Given that situation, I don't think any coach would leave. I had said I only wanted to be an assistant coach.
"The idea [to contest the season] came from the players. Initially, we weren't going to play. But they said that they are also victims, and would be victims again if we didn't play, so it really came from the heart."
Alas also brought in former Letran wards RJ Jazul and Kerby Raymundo to join his coaching staff for Season 89.
Raymundo, a four-time PBA champion and former Finals MVP, is focused particularly on the frontcourt, working with players such as EJ Kapihe, and new foreign student-athlete Sultan Baruwa from Nigeria.
The Blue Eagles will also lean on the veteran presence of Shawn Tuano, Waki Espina and Andrew Bongo, all of whom will be asked to mature quickly in a season unlike any other.
Nico Salva has been named interim team manager.
And when Ateneo takes the floor, two initials will serve as a reminder of whom the team is playing for: The Blue Eagles will wear "DA/RB" on their jerseys in honor of Adili and Baterbonia.
Coach Alas said that he initially considered stepping down from Ateneo after the fatal tragedy in Aurora.
"When the incident happened, I was actually ready to step down, knowing the concept of command responsibility," he said.
"But when one of the priests approached me to ask if I was willing to serve as a temporary coach, I said, 'Father, backing down from challenges isn't in my nature.'
"I didn't want to be a head coach anymore. But that is what God gave me, and I'm ready to accept the challenge."
Expectations may be modest for Ateneo entering Season 89.
But perhaps that is exactly where the Blue Eagles need to be.
