Book relives soaring Eagles flight to 5-peat

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneans relive the glorious five-peat of their men’s basketball team in the UAAP with the coffee table book “5: A Tribute to Excellence.”

Presented by the AdMU 61/65/69 Foundation, the 250-page book chronicles the Blue Eagles’ road to the five-string championship in the country’s premier collegiate league – from the refreshed basketball program in 1999 to the crowing glory in Season 75 – via detailed narrative and comprehensive photo coverage.

“We offer this book as vivid memory and humbling tribute to the five-peat,” Arben Santos, chair of the committee for the book, said yesterday as he gave media a preview of “5: A Tribute to Excellence.”

He said the documentation of the feat is meant to inspire future generations of Ateneans, apart from instilling invaluable lessons on the value of hard work and determination.

“The five-peat reflects the glory that not only rewards the discipline and devotion required of athletes but also affirms the principle of striving for excellence that is ingrained in all Ateneans,” said Santos.

The book, featuring text by sports blogger Rick Olivares and photos by Ateneo’s official photographer Philip Sison and edited by Ateneo English professor and multi-awarded author Alfred “Krip” Yuson, will be launched on Friday at Ayala Museum. The launch is sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation of Ateneo patron and tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan and will start at 5:30 p.m.

“We want to document the five-peat while it’s still fresh, while all the personalities involved are still active,” Santos said on the timing of the production of the book, coming just weeks before the UAAP Season 76.

Proceeds of book sales, according to Santos, will go to the AdMU 61/65/69 Foundation and the university’s Sports Endowment Fund.