AS UAAP Season 88 draws near, all eyes are on the usual contenders—teams boasting veteran talent and high-profile rookies. But quietly biding their time might be a squad ready to rewrite expectations.
Enter the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles—a young, determined group preparing away from the limelight. Without the familiar big names, this retooled roster could be the league’s most unpredictable threat.
Following a season of rebuilding, the question isn’t whether this Ateneo team can match the star-studded lineups of their rivals—it’s whether they can outwork, outthink, and outlast them when it truly counts.
Fueled by fresh energy, something to prove, and zero pressure, this group may be more ready for prime time than anyone realizes. A focused, gifted squad that doesn’t crave attention—but plays like they deserve it.
Measured Confidence
In a league where spectacle often overshadows substance, Ateneo has chosen an unusually low-key approach this off-season. No flashy headlines—just consistent growth and sharp execution.
With all the hype centered on another potential championship clash between defending champs UP Fighting Maroons and DLSU Green Archers, this may be the ideal moment for Ateneo to make their quiet comeback.
“Hopefully, the players that played last year have matured from last year’s experience. But I don’t think there is any point in being confident or not being confident,” Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin said during UAAP’s press conference on Monday.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who are not proven at the UAAP level, but we have a lot of talent. So they need very quick adaptation to the competition of the league,” the four-time UAAP champion coach said.
After claiming four titles in five straight finals appearances from 2017 to 2022, Ateneo stumbled in Season 87—logging 10 defeats against just four wins and missing the Final 4 for the first time since Season 76 in 2013.
With former veterans Sean Quitevis and Chris Koon leading the charge last year, Baldwin now faces the task of identifying a new leader. Luckily for Ateneo, their next King Eagle might have shown up right when needed.
Ladi Taking the Lead?
Kymani Ladi—a 6-foot-7, high-flying, one-and-done Filipino-American wing from the Bay Area. Now donning Blue and White, Ladi is eager to make an impact while embracing his Filipino heritage.
“It’s very different,” Ladi, who previously played for Merritt College in the California Community College Athletic Association, told a media. “Coming from a junior college, it’s small. Now, it’s a much bigger stage. But for me, I don’t really see it as a challenge.”
“I’m not their savior. I just think of it as an opportunity. I need to take advantage of the opportunity, especially for the time that I have. I only have one year to really prove myself and do what I can to make the team successful,” he went on to explain.
Showing his dedication, Ladi turned down a workout that might have led to a spot in the NBA Summer League. Still, he didn’t want to risk jeopardizing his eligibility in the UAAP.
“It was just a small workout, but some coaches invited some players. Ultimately, I still want to be able to play for Ateneo. I don’t want any issues with eligibility or anything like that. I came here for a reason. I didn’t want to come here and just go back to the States,” he said.
With Ladi fully committed to Ateneo, the Blue Eagles aim to kick off their UAAP Season 88 run strong on Saturday, September 20, at 2:00 p.m., facing the FEU Tamaraws at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
