A second straight championship series only confirms what we already know: Ateneo and UP are both stacked. How did they build these teams? Let's recall.
Ateneo and UP are set to battle it out for the UAAP Men’s Basketball crown for the second straight season. And because the two best teams of the tournament are so stacked when it comes to size, skill and talent, the outcome of this do-over is very much up in the air. What’s certain though, is each basketball program had built their respective rosters to win it all.
With that said, let’s look back at how the Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons landed their best assets en route to their highly anticipated rematch.
Baldwin for the win
After Ateneo’s 5-peat dynasty under Norman Black ended in 2012, the Blue Eagles failed to make a finals appearance in the next 3 seasons. The drought likely prompted Blue machinery to get the services of Tab Baldwin who was making waves in the international scene during that period.
In his first UAAP campaign, which was Season 79, the Eagles immediately made it back to the big dance but ultimately fell short against the Ben Mbala-led-Green Archers. In the following years, ADMU captured three straight chips including a perfect 16-0 season.
Goldwin touch
UP’s dramatic return to basketball prominence in Seasons 81 and 82 were terrific achievements but the end goal was to win the title. When Bo Perasol stepped down as the Maroons’ head coach and became the team’s program director, he then tapped Goldwin Monteverde to be his replacement.
In just his debut season, Monteverde—backed by a supportive management and an army of assistant coaches—led UP to its first championship in 36 years and in the process, prevented Tab Baldwin and Ateneo from achieving a 4-peat.
Kai Ballungay and friends
Ateneo’s recruiting power can be felt with their 2021 acquisition of 6-foot-7 Fil-Am Kai Ballungay from Stanislaus State, California. Needing to replenish their roster with the impending departure of key players like Gian Mamuyac, Tyler Tio and Raffy Verano, ADMU was quick to act as they went and got an athletic, lengthy forward with a smooth three-pointer and a penchant for crashing the boards. Ballungay is supported by the fine play of former Blue Eaglet Forthsky Padrigao.
Dave Ildefonso’s arrival
Another guy who filled the gap after several Blue Eagles graduated was former NU superstar Dave Ildefonso. In January of 2020, it was announced that the high-scoring swingman will return to his high school alma mater to play for Tab Baldwin. At the moment, Dave is doing it all for Ateneo as he starts to look more and more like a veteran playmaker.
From Bullpups to Maroons
The NU Bullpups were men amongst boys in the Juniors division. Most of them are now with the Maroons, led by arguably the nation’s most promising big man, Carl Tamayo. Also following the footsteps of their former high school coach were defensive specialist guard Gerry Abadiano, scoring savant Terrence Fortea, and most recently, spitfire guard Cyril Gonzales, who initially chose Mapua.
Zav attack, Cagulangan for the championship
The roster of the 2022 Fighting Maroons wouldn’t be as deep without high-flying forward Zav Lucero and high caliber floor general JD Cagulangan. Out of Cal State University Maritime Academy, Lucero was officially added to the Maroons lineup in February 2022. After enrolling in a Master’s degree, the 6-foot-6 Fil-Am forward proceeded to put his highwire act to good use for UP.
JD Cagulangan found himself in the UPMBT lineup after he was buried in the La Salle bench in Season 82 by then-acting head coach Jermaine Byrd. In contrast, he thrived with the maroon and green two years later. In the final game of Season 85, playing under Monteverde who brought his confidence back, Cagulangan swished one of the most important shots in UAAP history.
Kouame lands in Katipunan
Ange made his way to Katipunan through team manager Epok Quimpo and his contact from Cameroon. The Ivorian native passed his initial tryout but would only learn how to play 5-on-5 basketball when the formal training began. As soon as he debuted for the Eagles however, he made an immediate impact, helping them win the crown in 2018, while also receiving Rookie of the Year honors. Kouame would be named Season 84 Men’s Basketball MVP but would fail to win his third-straight championship. And as we know, that's because Ateneo fell to Finals MVP Malick Diouf and the Fighting Maroons.
MVP Malick Diouf
Malick Diouf will take home the MVP trophy for Season 85. And in the finals, he’ll likely play the most important role in UP’s bid to repeat. His transfer to Diliman came in 2019 in preparation for the exit of Bright Akhuetie. The highly active Senegalese center was suiting up for the CEU Scorpions back then, but the Maroons successfully negotiated for his release. Perhaps it was the most valuable move that UP made in their quest for a championship.