Ateneo’s Shawn Tuano and Kristian Porter. Photo from UAAP Media

MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University is in unfamiliar territory in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament.

The Blue Eagles lost three straight games to start Season 87 before clinching their first win, with the Tab Baldwin-coached squad surviving Adamson University during their clash at the Araneta Coliseum over the weekend. 

READ: Ateneo gets breakthrough Season 87 win at Adamson's expense

One factor that Baldwin as well as his players Kristian Porter and Chris Koon credited to their victory was the previous visit of the Blue Eagles, Band of Brothers (BEBOB) to their practice ahead of that game, with the former players of Coach Tab injecting some life into their erstwhile winless campaign. 

But aside from the likes of Ange Kouame, Tyler Tio, and Jason Credo, another celebrated star from their side has expressed his message for the current batch of Blue Eagles — former Ateneo ace LA Tenorio.

"There is something that they have to improve on, and I'm sure that Coach Tab and the rest of their coaching staff have their plan for them," the 2002 UAAP champion told a few reporters last Saturday at the Big Dome. 

"It's a completely new team right now, and some of the new guys are still adjusting," added the Barangay Ginebra floor general.

Tenorio went to multiple UAAP Finals and was a two-time Mythical Team member during his stay in Katipunan, amd he admits that it hurts seeing Ateneo struggle to rediscover its winning ways.

"As a former Ateneo player, ang hirap din makita na ganto, but it's really like that eh. Kaya nga every year kailangan talagang merong improvement eh, kasi teams are getting better every year also, so yun yung kailangan i-sustain ng Ateneo," said the former Gilas Pilipinas star.

Asked about his sentiments on how he thinks the Blue Eagles can get back on track this year, Tenorio emphasized what they need to do: "For now, they need to have that sense of urgency. They cannot wait until the second round, and I'm sure na may plano naman si Coach Tab sa remaining games nila," he said. 

On the brighter side of things, what gives Tenorio some optimism is having top recruit Jared Bahay on board for his alma mater.

Ateneo’s Jared Bahay. Photo from UAAP Media.

"Sa history ng Ateneo since nung andun ako doon until today, meron na talagang point guard palagi ang Ateneo," said Tenorio.

After Tenorio, guards such as Chris Tiu, Juami Tiongson, Kiefer Ravena, Matt Nieto, and SJ Belangel not only made a name for themselves but also contributed to steering the Blue Eagles to greater heights. 

And for Tenorio, the former back-to-back highest-ranked high school player in the country is next in line in the packed list of the greatest Ateneo PGs — it's just a matter of patience and adjustment for J-House. 

"He's one of the key players who is still adjusting, and that's pretty normal for a high school player na naglaro sa college right away. So for him, gusto ko lang siya makita na maging aggressive lang. Dun niya makukuha yung rhythm and adjustment niya," said Tenorio. 

"As a young player, the most important thing is just to enjoy the game and enjoy the moment. He's at that level already, so make the most out of it na lang. Sa ngayon, nangangapa pa siya eh. Pero I think, in time, he'll get his groove back. Obvious naman eh, ‘di naman ganyan mag laro yan eh so just give him time."

That doesn't mean that he has no challenge for the Cebuano star, however. 

"It's up to him how he handles yung pressure mga naririnig niyang noise outside the circle. Criticism is good also at some point, kaya sana maisip niya na kaya siya na ci-criticize kasi he's one of the prized rookies and much is expected from him," said Tenorio. 

Ateneo will return to action on Sunday, September 29, at 6:30 p.m. when it faces Far Eastern University in Araneta. 

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