Ateneo is going to defend its World University Basketball Series title as part of its preparations for the coming UAAP season.
The Blue Eagles are one of eight teams from around the world competing in the tournament, which will take place from Aug. 10 to 13 at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
For Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, it’s a great honor to participate in the second edition of the tournament.
It not only provides Ateneo with an opportunity to explore different strategies for the buildup for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ 86th season but also allows them to represent the country.
“Well, as I say when people ask me about the UAAP crown, we are not really defending anything,” said the New Zealand Basketball Hall of Famer. “We have to go there for the dual purpose of playing our hearts out in representing the school and the country, but we also need to ensure the development of our team, system, and combinations for the UAAP.
“Anytime we are in the off-season, we also have that dual purpose, and it includes winning. We have to make it a habit, and it starts with the preseason,” he added.
The field has doubled from four teams last year to eight this year, with Japan’s Tokai University and Chinese Taipei’s National Chengchi University also returning to the competition.
The remaining teams in the tournament are the USA’s Radford University (NCAA Division I), Japan’s Hakuoh University, Australia’s University of Sydney, Korea University, and Indonesia’s Perbanas Institute.
Unlike the other teams, Ateneo will have an exhibition game on August 10 against a selection of players from the All Japan University Basketball Federation.
The knockout tournament will commence the next day, with Ateneo facing the University of Sydney. The winner of that match will proceed to play against either Perbanas Institute or Hakuoh University in the following days.
Last year, Ateneo completed a three-game sweep of the tournament, defeating Universitas Pelitas Harapan (125-39), Chengchi (88-78), and Tokai (68-59).
Kai Ballungay was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
