WITH Ateneo’s ouster in the Final Four race of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, it also ended the Blue Eagles’ semifinal streak to nine seasons.
It’s quite the fall from grace for the Katipunan side, as coach Tab Baldwin had to accelerate the growth of his young wards led by blue-chip rookies Jared Bahay and Kristian Porter, while blending them in with holdovers bannered by captains Sean Quitevis and Chris Koon.
But just how long has Ateneo been in contention for the crown - meaning, when was the last time they were out of the playoff picture?
Well, it’s been a long time. A little over a decade, really.
From Black to Perasol
The last time the blue-and-white failed to progress in the postseason was in Season 76 back in 2013.
Coming on the heels of its dynastic five-peat run under Norman Black, the Blue Eagles welcomed Bo Perasol to keep the glory alive.
Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal bannered the Katipunan crew that year, together with seniors Ryan Buenafe and Juami Tiongson, as well as transferee Chris Newsome. Also part of that team were Poy Erram, Nico Elorde, and Anton Asistio.
But a 0-3 start seemed to be a preview of how tough the campaign would be, with the inauspicious start punctuated by an 82-73 loss to a La Salle team spearheaded by Jeron Teng and Jason Perkins.
Things seemed to be heading to the right direction after the squad staged a five-game win streak in the middle of the season, including a huge 92-73 victory over Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia’s Far Eastern University. That stretch allowed Ateneo to stay in postseason contention.
But a 70-65 defeat to Ray Parks-led National University set the Blue Eagles up for a do-or-die match against University of Santo Tomas – with the winner earning the last ticket to the Final Four.
Alas, not even Ravena’s 20-point night could save Ateneo, as it got dethroned and shown the door after an 82-74 defeat to the Growling Tigers, which drew solid games from Karim Abdul, Jeric Teng, and Ed Daquioag.
Curiously, coach Pido Jarencio was calling the shots for UST then, his final of that first stint before moving to GlobalPort (now-NorthPort) in the PBA.
That season saw a three-way tie for first place between NU, La Salle, and FEU, as they all sported identical 10-4 records.
The Growling Tigers would overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage against the No. 1 Bulldogs, while the Green Archers disposed of the Tamaraws in one game to set up the finale, which the green-and-white won in three games.
For those asking, Baldwin was still in New Zealand back in 2013 coaching the HBS Bank Hawks (now-Hawke’s Bay Hawks), but at the same time, already started to serve as one of the consultants for coach Chot Reyes in Gilas Pilipinas’ silver medal finish in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship and lead-up to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
