Basketball is a brotherhood for Eagles

A hoard of happy Blue fans and supporters met at the Ateneo de Manila University’s field as they celebrated the Blue Eagles reign in this season’s UAAP basketball game. With a 13-1 standing, this team has proven to be one really big fight. Adidas, the official outfitter of the team, congratulates them for their hard work and passion for the game. Basketball is a brotherhood and the ADMU Blue Eagles showed just how this brotherhood works.

Composed of Chris Tiu, Nonoy Baclao, Yuri Escueta, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Jai Reyes, Ryan Buenafe, Nicolas Salva, Kirk Long, Luis Gonzaga, Raymond Austria, Justin Chua, Christopher Sumalinog, Vince Burke, Michael Baldos and Eric Salamat these 15 individuals have let the values of brotherhood lead them through to every win. Here are some thoughts from these inspiring players: 

Tell us about your most memorable experience this season with the team.

CHRIS TIU: My most memorable experience would be the mini celebration we had on the court after we won the finals. We were just all ecstatic and going wild in the middle of the court.

VINCE BURKE: Every day is a memorable experience with the team but the most memorable would be when we went up to Subic where we had our team-building (retreat). That was the first time we really bonded as a team.

Tell us about your most memorable game experience this season.

TIU: It would be the shot that I made against UE in overtime, the three-pointer that I made with (a few) seconds left on the shot clock.

What do you think is the secret weapon of the ADMU team this season?

JOBE NKEMAKOLAM: I think selflessness. We worked hard for this one. We learned that values are more important than success.

RABEH AL-HUSSAINI: Our bond as a team and our heart, which took us to where we are now.

TIU: It’s our selfless attitude. Everybody played the role perfectly. Everybody stepped up and we worked really hard. It made us a formidable team.

Describe your typical day. How many hours do you spend on training?

JAI REYES: I wake up in the morning, get in my car, go to the school. Then we have classes until 2:30 in the afternoon then go to Moro Lorenzo and rest for a while in the basketball office. Then at 4, I go down to the court, dress up and do weight training and shooting. At 6 p.m., we have our formal training. Then I go home and have dinner with my family.

YURI ESCUETA: I come here at 3 p.m., lift weights, and do shooting until 6 p.m. Then we have practice from 6 to 9. That’s six hours of basketball training in a day.

What do you think is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your coach?

RAYMOND AUSTRIA: I think the most valuable lesson he taught me was discipline. He showed us how to be disciplined during practices and in the game.

AL-HUSSAINI: I’ve learned it the hard way. He taught me to be patient, to let the game come to me, and to think of my teammates first before myself.

TIU: Nothing beats discipline and hard work. Offense will win you games, defense will win you championships.

How close are you as a team? Do you guys play outside of school? Where do you usually hang out?

AL-HUSSAINI: Last year, our team had small groups and we were not as intact. It helped when we trained out of town — for instance, when we went to the States. We were told that even if you don’t like your teammate you have to like him simply because he is your teammate. Our relationship as a team developed and developed until there was a time that we became even tighter. The rookies blended with the rest of the team. When the season ended, we were okay in the first round. But from the second round until the finals, that’s when I felt we really bonded. There were no more small groups. Everyone became equal.

LUIS GONZAGA: We’re really, really close. That’s why we show it on the court. We are a cohesive team. Off the court, we hang out, do different things together, even though we have a big age gap between the rookies and the veterans.

If you were to turn back time and start the UAAP season again, what would you change?

ESCUETA: I probably wouldn’t change anything, because we won the championship, we worked hard for this and it’s the best ending ever.

From past Blue Eagles teams and players, who is your idol and why?

NONOY BACLAO: Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, Wesley Gonzales, Larry Fonacier and Yuri Escueta. They led the group well and when they get into the game, they stir up the team with their energy and confidence.

What is your message to upcoming ADMU Blue Eagles?

YURI ESCUETA: To everyone who aspires to be Blue Eagles, work hard, keep the faith, pray to God and drink your milk.

Who is the kuya of the team?

Yuri Escueta.

Who is the slowest: Justin Chua

Funniest: Yuri, Nonoy Baclao and Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

Who is the heartthrob?

Chris Tiu.

Who is the most intellectual?

Chris Tiu.