THE Fr. Martin Division II Cup crown isn’t just any other trophy as far as the Ateneo Blue Eagles are concerned
Ateneo coach Bo Perasol said the title won by its Team B is a step in the right direction for a school that is picking up the pieces after failing to make it the Final Four just a year removed from winning a fifth straight UAAP crown.
“Winning the Fr. Martin Cup is important to our program as it signifies the continuity of our plans for the UAAP seasons to come,” said Perasol.
The Eagles defeated the San Beda Red Lions, 68-51, to capture the Fr. Martin crown behind a team led by Jerie Pingoy, Fonzo Gotladera, and Joma Adornado, and coached by former Ateneo cager Yuri Escueta.
Perasol bared a few of the players are already up for a spot in the UAAP roster next season.
“It is also a testament to the hardwork that our staff had given to our farm team. Some of these guys are going to be included in our lineup next season. The coaching staff will evaluate each one according to what positions the team needs,” said Perasol.
During the championship game against the Red Lions, first-year cager Pingoy topscored for the Eagles with 14 points, followed by Adornado, son of basketball great Bogs, with 12 markers, while Gotladera also chipped in 11.
Pingoy, though, has to wait another year to play for Ateneo in the UAAP unless he gets a release from his high school team Far Eastern University-Diliman under the new residency rules of the league.
Gotladera could also play next season for the Eagles after he moved from the La Salle seniors team, while Adornado has been with the Team B squad in his entire stay with the school.
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