Blue Eagles, new coach Alas 'just happy, thankful' to get back into playing anew

MANILA, Philippines -- The road back was surely long and winding for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. 

More than two months since the tragic team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora that claimed the lives of young basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, Ateneo ushered in a new age on Sunday. 

The Blue Eagles defeated Our Lady of Fatima University Phoenix, 71-60, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City. 

After the game, new head coach Louie Alas said that they are “just happy and thankful” that they are out on the court once again. 

“We’re just happy. Hindi kami nag-usap nang post-game. We just praise God for allowing us to play,” he told reporters in a short, chance interview outside the Blue Eagle Gym. 

“Yan lang talaga, honestly. And we're very thankful.” 

Alas was named the new interim coach of the Blue Eagles after Tab Baldwin resigned from his post following the drowning incident in Aurora.

The UAAP  banned Baldwin perpetually, while eight other team staff were suspended. 

In the team’s first game since June, Ateneo shot 43.5% from the field, including a 2-of-22 clip from deep. 

They pulled away in the fourth quarter, turning a 50-47 lead to a 67-52 advantage late after an Alas layup. 

“Expected ko yung struggle doon [sa] early part. But the way we practiced the last two weeks, sabi ko eventually you will cope with this,” Alas added.

Ateneo is headed to the next round of the Big Dance. They will take on either College of Saint Benilde or the San Pedro College of Business Administration.