BY John Miles Arcenal
ONE season - that's all there is for three players to etch their names into Ateneo lore.
After a rare last-place finish in UAAP Season 87, the Blue Eagles needed reinforcements.
And so, they turned their eyes overseas and secured 6-foot Jaden Lazo and 6-5 Dominic Escobar, both guards, from Cal State LA, along with 6-8 forward Kyamani Ladi from Merritt College.
READ: Kymani Ladi passes on NBA workout to focus on Ateneo camp
All have already graduated from college in the U.S., but thanks to the UAAP's rule on one-and-done players, all have one last shot to make a name for themselves while donning the blue-and-white.
Kymani, many talents
Ladi, an athletic wing who averaged 15 points and 7.7 rebounds for Merritt College last season, has the tools to be a sparkplug for Ateneo.
With his height and versatility, Ladi can dominate the paint or stretch the floor on offense then turn around and anchor the defense.
For the Vallejo, California product, the mission is clear after witnessing the Blue Eagles’ struggles last season.
“I just wanna say that we’re here to fight until the end. Especially coming from last season, even though I wasn’t playing, I was still in the locker room seeing how it was. I wanna change that,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to a competitive season, trying to get that championship. Not just me, but everyone is doing the same.”
My, my, Jaden in blue
Lazo - the steady, reliable, and shifty playmaker hailing from Richmond, California - can orchestrate Ateneo’s offense, coming off a final U.S. stint where he averaged 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.
“I think the biggest focus is just winning. I want to win with this team, especially how close I got quickly with these guys and especially how last year went. I just wanna do as much as I can to help this team win and get back to Ateneo's championship ways,” he stated.
As a point guard, chemistry is of utmost importance - something that they have been hard at work on.
“When I first came for a visit, it became easy for me to come and fit in and bond with the team. As soon as we committed and came building that early bond, it helped us really establish a good friendship, relationship, and connection off the court, so we can translate it on the court. Since then, we just keep on building our chemistry,” he uttered.
Time to Dom-inate
After being a scorer at Cal State where he averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in his final year, bulky guard Escobar from Indio, California is ready and raring to make immediate impact on Ateneo’s rotation.
“I told my guys, I’m going to come here and help the team however I can - whether that’s rebounds, defense, steals, assists. I’m not going to come in demanding for the ball. Just help the team, whatever I can do, to put us back on top again,” he said.
In his lone season with the Blue Eagles, Escobar knows what matters most.
“I think the ultimate goal is to win a championship. Ateneo has a history of winning championships, and so I just want to put Ateneo back on top,” he added.
Won-and done?
Together, the one-and-done trio complements Ateneo's promising core that already includes Jared Bahay, Shawn Tuano, and Andrew Bongo.
READ: Ateneo already has second coming of Ange Kouame? Hold your horses, say Eagles
Still, they know full well translating their games to Philippine basketball is a tall task.
“Here, they take pride on a lot of physicality on defense, so that’s the biggest adjustment. And here, it’s a lot more fast-paced, as well. As soon as the ball went to the net, the other team is already going, so it’s a quick transition from offense to defense and defense to offense,” said Lazo.
Ladi agreed in saying, “I love the process, and I think it’s learning about the Blue Eagles’ school history, the rivalries. It’s something I never really experienced in junior college or even in high school, so I think that’s cool.”
Despite the challenges, the three new Blue Eagles know the best way to make their lone season worth it is to stand at the forefront of Katipunan's return to relevance.
“Right now, I just wanna focus on getting that championship. That’s the main thing for me, especially coming from a losing season last year. It’s my main focus. You know, I can always be better as my career goes, but those are my goals right now,” Ladi said.
Lazo was of the same mind and said, “Just focusing on building with my team. I’m really locked in on this season and after that, we’ll see how things go and take it from there.”
“They should expect me to give them my all. I’m gonna wear Ateneo with pride. I play with a chip on my shoulder, and yeah, I’m gonna just give them my all every single night. We’ll see, but you know, it’s gonna be an exciting year,” Escobar said.
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