CAN Ateneo avoid finishing with its worst mark in the Final Four era?
It’s a tough task, but a doable one, especially with three games remaining in its schedule this UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, while holding a 3-8 card.
But that's not to say the Blue Eagles making sure they steer clear of their lowest ranking in recent memory is a sure thing - even as they only need two victories in three games to avoid the ignominy of finishing with a measly grand total of four.
Up next for the blue-and-white will be Far Eastern University on Nov. 9, University of the East on Nov. 13, and the still-to-be rescheduled game against Adamson.
Of those teams, Ateneo has only beaten the Soaring Falcons in the first round, 60-51, back in Sept. 21.
They lost to the Tamaraws in a 66-65 heartbreaker, before getting nosed out by the Red Warriors, 69-62.
Feeling blue, Eagles
The Blue Eagles' worst showing in the Final Four era had happened thrice.
Reeling from the departures of Vince Hizon and Richie Ticzon, as well as the retirement of coach Baby Dalupan, they were left to fend for their own in Season 57 back in 1994.
With Marlou Aquino’s academic issue leading to Adamson’s season-long ban, Ateneo conjured a 4-8 win-loss record under coach Cris Calilan and had to rely on the likes of Gabby Severino and Red Camua.
Also part of that roster were twins Brandon and Brian Sison, as well as Ryan Acosta, Geran Guerrero, Paolo Isidro, Jeremy Nishimori, John Palafox, Junie Rentosa, Stephen Santos, Mon Tioseco, Jamie Navoa, John Verayo, and Jeff Yu.
What the Blue Eagles did take pride on from that run, though, was one of those rare wins came against archrival La Salle - a 73-72 thriller at Cuneta Astrodome back in Sept. 3, 1994.
Things didn’t get better a season later, even if the Blue Eagles served as hosts, as the Season 58 campaign paraded an almost intact roster sans Severino and Guerrero.
Former player Mark Molina came in as new head coach that year which also coincided with the rookie seasons for Sandy Arespacochaga, Dan Morga, Tonichi Pinzon, and Mark Reyes. Ateneo finished with a 4-10 card.
That mark was mirrored two seasons later, this time with coach Perry Ronquillo calling the shots in Season 60 in 1997.
LA Mumar, Sonny Tadeo, Paul Tanchi, and Leonard Montilla were then part of that squad, which also included holdovers Arespacochaga, Pinzon, Reyes, Tioseco and the Sison twins, as they once again finished with a 4-10 slate.
READ: UP hands Ateneo worst loss in Tab era to sweep Battle of Katipunan
Can this current version of the Blue Eagles - spearheaded by Chris Koon, Sean Quitevis, and Jared Bahay - avoid being mentioned in the same breath?
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