CHRIS Koon and Sean Quitevis would be the first to call a spade a spade.
And no sugarcoating here: this season was a disappointment for Ateneo.
The Blue Eagles missed the Final Four for the first time since 2013 - and their first with coach Tab Baldwin calling the shots.
“It's definitely disappointing. (It's) not the standard that the school has set that we've had. Me and Sean have been a part of different phases of Ateneo, but this one is just another learning experience,” said Koon.
But rather than dwelling on what could have beens, the captains expressed how grateful they were for the opportunity to be the leaders this past UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
“Coach Tab told us in a meeting and said it's easy to lead during successful times, winning times, but it's really hard to lead during the tough times. And I think that put me and Chris to the test,” shared Quitevis.
“Honestly, we just take lessons from it moving forward with our careers. We kind of know, we've been through tough times now and it only builds character, and I think it only does us well moving forward.”
Of course, people will zoom in on how the young and inexperienced Ateneo side fell by the wayside and collected only four wins – matching their least output since the Final Four format was introduced.
But both Koon and Quitevis know that these hardships will only strengthen the Blue Eagles, especially the young guys, to be better moving forward.
And the lasting legacy they want to leave? For everyone to savor each moment representing the blue-and-white and continuing to maintain that Ateneo standard, win or lose.
“I just want the next generation of players, the guys that we're playing with now just to not take anything for granted,” said Koon. “When you put on this uniform, it means so much. I hope that the players know that and they know that there's still that standard to uphold. But at the same time, understand what it means to put on the uniform.”
Quitevis added: “I want our teammates now carrying forward to remember the importance of fostering that culture, how important our team culture is.”
In Tab, we trust
And a big part of that is Baldwin’s doing.
“Honestly, I just want them to emulate our leader as much as they can,” Quitevis continued, pointing to the decorated mentor.
“Coach Tab was relentless every day, pushing us to our limits, and at times it really put so much adversity on us. And it really gut-checked us as to who we are as athletes and I wouldn't change that no matter what. If there was an easier way, I wouldn't take it. It built so much character for me personally and my career moving forward, and I hope they have that moment too with that.”
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