ATENEO brought back a familiar face to its coaching staff as veteran mentor Sandy Arespacochaga joined assistant coach RJ Jazul on the bench, hoping to help the Blue Eagles navigate a crucial stretch of UAAP Season 89 amid rough waters.
With head coach Louie Alas serving a two-game suspension, Arespacochaga was called back to lend his experience to the team, which is fighting to keep its Final Four hopes alive.
The former Ateneo head coach has long been a steady presence in the program, having served as the Blue Eagles’ chief tactician twice before taking on consultant-slash-assistant roles under coaches Norman Black, Bo Perasol, and Tab Baldwin.
READ: Adamson shows urgency, drags down Ateneo to joint sixth
Although he has since moved on to his commitments with TNT Tropang Giga and Gilas Hiraya Pilipinas, Arespacochaga remained connected to Katipunan occasionally dropping by practices to offer his assistance.
But with Alas, along with the rest of the coaching staff, seeking additional help during the team’s difficult stretch, the mentor made himself available once more.
“They needed a veteran coach. So unfortunately, matanda na pala ako. Veteran na pala ako,” Arespacochaga quipped.
“I’m still with Talk 'n Text. But just for this, itong parang span wherein wala pang games ang Talk 'n Text, I can help out.”
Arespacochaga’s return, however, could not immediately translate into a much-needed victory as Ateneo absorbed a 62-55 defeat to Adamson on Wednesday, falling to a 5-7 record, to remain tied with the Soaring falcons at seventh in the standings with two games left on their schedule.
Despite the setback, the shot-caller stressed that the Blue Eagles still have a chance to make the Final Four, with University of Santo Tomas, and University of the East remaining in their schedule.
“We’ve had some stretches of good play, both ends of the court. Pero hindi lang namin masustain, I think,” he said.
“So that’s what we’re striving to do. We have to keep working at it, of course.”
For Jazul, having someone like Arespacochaga around has been a significant boost, especially as he continues to navigate his responsibilities as acting head coach.
“He was really big for us. I’m so happy na si Coach Sandy sa amin, ang laking bagay siyempre lalo na para sa akin. Coach Sandy is a big help for me,” Jazul said.
The former Letran guard has now gone 0-2 in his first two assignments as acrting head coach, with Ateneo also absorbing a 93-70 beating at the hands of Far Eastern University during the first round when Alas was serving his first suspension.
Still, Jazul has embraced the responsibility of stepping up in Alas’ absence, taking the same next-man-up approach expected from his players.
“I don’t want to say na I’ll be used to it. Siyempre we really need Coach Louie to be here. Pero like sa players, next man up. Nagkataon lang na ako yung next, so I was there,” he said.
And while the blue-and-white’s chances of reaching the semifinals have become increasingly slim, Jazul stressed that the team is not ready to give up just yet.
“I think looking at the standing we have a slim chance, pero at least we have a chance. Ayun yung we talked about sa dugout, malaki man o maliit yan, at least may chance.”
Arespacochaga echoed that same attitude, reminding the team that its attention must remain on the task immediately ahead rather than the increasingly complicated playoff picture.
“Regardless of whether it’s a slim chance, big chance, whatever, focus namin is the next game. Try to win the next game,” he said.
For someone who has spent much of his coaching career giving back to the program, returning to the Ateneo bench was never really a difficult decision.
“Anytime you have a chance to help, I still feel that, even though I’m no longer with the team, I still feel I’m with the team,” Arespacochaga said.
“Medyo for us former members, it’s a bit automatic na yung serving and helping out in any way we can. I think whether it’s the team or Alma Mater, I think medyo na-ingrain na sa amin.”
And although he wished he could have done more to help Ateneo avoid another defeat, Arespacochaga knows his role goes beyond the result.
“I wish I could’ve helped more. Of course, natalo eh. Sometimes you learn the value of appreciating giving more than receiving," he said.
“We have to continue giving and trying to help out in any way we can.”
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