IT'S no longer a secret: Ateneo is for real.
The Blue Eagles flaunted their prowess from the get-go, as they paraded their three one-and-done players and rode them to victory to open the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
But coach Tab Baldwin isn't surprised one bit how much of game-changers the trio of Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, and Jaden Lazo are in Katipunan.
"Talking about them is really talking about their impact on the team from June when they arrived. And they brought a level of maturity that is a huge asset for the team," he said after Ateneo gutted out an 86-83 overtime victory over Far Eastern University on Saturday.
"But more than likely, if we're going to be as successful as everybody wants us to be, the rest of the team is going to have to rise to their maturity level and that's certainly what I'll be reinforcing."
That maturity will be put to the test once more as the Blue Eagles seek early leadership on Wednesday against University of the East at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
On the other hand, the Red Warriors are motivated to show they are no pushovers even after incurring a 72-57 loss to National University on Sunday.
Precious Momowei and John Abate are put in the spotlight once more, as they try to give coach Chris Gavina his first win.
Tip-off is at 2 p.m., followed by the 4 p.m. game between the University of the Philippines and Adamson.
Losers in their respective season openers, both the Fighting Maroons and the Soaring Falcons want to get back on the winning track.
For defending champion UP, it's about reclaiming its position among the league's elite, especially after a shock 87-67 blowout loss to University of Santo Tomas.
Meanwhile, Cedrick Manzano-led Adamson wants to prove that it can catch big fish after coming close to doing so against La Salle, 60-58.
