LOUIE Alas had little to say about how Ateneo’s long-awaited return to action unfolded.
But the new Blue Eagles head coach did not need many words to make clear just how much Sunday’s game meant.
Ateneo finally took the court again after 71 days of inactivity, returning to its home floor at the Blue Eagle Gym with a 71-60 victory over Our Lady of Fatima University in the Pinoyliga Cup Round of 28.
It was Alas’ first game at the helm of an embattled Blue Eagles side that had been forced to sit out in the aftermath of the Aurora team-building tragedy, which claimed the lives of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
Amid earlier restrictions imposed on the team to stay mum and refrain from media interviews, Alas kept his post-game remarks brief, offering little analysis of how Ateneo secured the win.
Instead, he chose to focus on gratitude.
As he put it, “Hindi kami nag-uusap ng post-game. We just praise God for allowing us to play. ‘Yan lang talaga, honestly, and we’re very thankful.”
READ: New Ateneo coach Alas turns to Letran legends for help in picking up pieces
In one of his first statements since being appointed shot-caller, the veteran tactician said he, his staff, and his wards 'just want to play for Rene and Divine every chance they get inside the court.'
Ateneo's road to return
Nonetheless, rust was evident early, as Ateneo worked its way back into the rhythm of competitive basketball, something Alas had expected after more than two months away from actual game action.
“Expected ko yung struggle, early part. But the way we practiced last two weeks, sabi ko, eventually you will cope up with this,” he said.
For Alas, though, Sunday’s return was about more than basketball.
It marked the first time the Blue Eagles played in front of their fans since the tragedy, bringing a difficult stretch of grief and uncertainty to a moment that had long been awaited by the program and the community.
And when Alas was asked what it meant to finally hear Ateneo’s alma mater hymn inside the Blue Eagle Gym after everything the team had gone through, he offered no words.
Instead, the veteran tactician simply gestured as if fighting back tears before walking away.
It was perhaps the clearest response he could give.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
