FOR Ateneo head coach Louie Alas, there were moments Sunday that words simply could not capture.
As the Ateneo anthem played inside the Blue Eagles Gym following the team’s first game since the Aurora tragedy, Alas was visibly overcome with emotion, wiping away tears and gesturing with his hands as the familiar anthem filled the venue once again.
It was a powerful moment for the Ateneo community, coming off two months after the deaths of Blue Eagles Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during an off-campus team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The Blue Eagles eventually returned to action with a 71-60 victory over Our Lady of Fatima University in the Pinoyliga Big Dance.
But beyond the result, their return to the court carried a much deeper meaning for the team.
After the game, Alas kept his words simple.
“We’re just happy. Hindi kami nag-usap ng post-game. We just praise God for allowing us to play. Iyan lang. Iyan lang talaga, honestly. And we’re very thankful,” he said.
On the court, Ateneo showed some understandable rust after being away from competition for two months.
The Blue Eagles held a slim 50-47 lead entering the fourth quarter before finally pulling away, building their biggest lead at 71-55.
Travis Roberts led Ateneo with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Kieffer Alas added 12 points and Jared Bahay provided key plays in the final period.
Coach Alas admitted that he expected his players to struggle early, especially after the long layoff.
“Expected ko iyung struggle early part,” he said.
But the coach also saw the payoff from the team’s preparation during the past two weeks.
“But the way we practiced last two weeks, sabi ko, eventually, you will cope up with this,” Alas added.
The final buzzer gave Ateneo its first win since the tragedy.
But when the anthem played again, the emotion surrounding the Blue Eagles’ return became impossible to miss. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
