MANILA, Philippines – One of the best basketball players to ever represent Ateneo, LA Tenorio, understands—or thinks he understands—how the current Blue Eagles feel as they prepare to face the repeat-seeking UP for the UAAP men’s basketball title.

Tenorio said when asked how he sees the best-of-three series, which gets underway Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, going: “We are UP this year what UP was last season.” “No one predicted UP would make it to the Finals last year, so when they did, everyone was taken aback.

Nobody predicted that Ateneo would reach the Finals this season, given the guys who left before the league began.

Before the start of the season, the Eagles lost four key players, including Tyler Tio and SJ Belangel, a dangerous backcourt duo who chose to turn professional while still having a combined four years of eligibility left.

Who would have imagined that Ateneo would reach the Finals after losing those players?

Tenorio enquired. But now they’re here, and I’m confident that Ateneo is experiencing the same level of enthusiasm to defeat them as the Maroons did when they were set to play the Eagles in the Finals last year.

The Maroons have an advantage in manpower not only because they have the same roster that prevailed in the decisive third game of last season, but also because all of the players have improved as a result of experiencing victory.

Malick Diouf will enter the series as the new MVP and aware that, as he did the season before, he could defeat Ange Kouame any day of the week.

Carl Tamayo has improved even more since last season, to the point where coach Chot Reyes has put him on his wish list to join the Gilas Pilipinas team as they prepare for the Fiba World Cup in 2019.

Forthsky wields a sword

Ateneo, on the other hand, received the unexpected boost from Forthsky Padrigao, its diminutive point player who came in second place for MVP.

LA Tenorio explains his insight saying, “I observed that the team started relatively slower than what most may expect, and surely everyone on the team was longing for a backcourt sub for SJ and Tyler (from earlier in the season).”

“But the team’s confidence grew and Kouame also improved after the break (for the Fiba Qualifying window).”

Tenorio remarked that “their game has definitely improved notches higher.” But UP isn’t performing poorly either.”

Malick Diouf will enter the series as the new MVP and aware that, as he did the season before, he could defeat Ange Kouame any day of the week.

Carl Tamayo has improved even more since last season, to the point where coach Chot Reyes has put him on his wish list to join the Gilas Pilipinas team as they prepare for the Fiba World Cup in 2019.

The teams split their two games in the elimination stage, with the Maroons winning the first one in overtime.

Nobody really expected any side to win this contest, especially with Goldwyn Monteverde for the UP and Tab Baldwin for the Ateneo sitting behind each bench.

How does Tenorio actually envision the title series playing out with all the hoopla about how the Eagles don’t have the same talent they did when winning three straight titles before losing to the Maroons last season?

“There is no doubt that Ateneo is the underdog. However, I still believe we will prevail.

Ateneo, on the other hand, received the unexpected boost from Forthsky Padrigao, its diminutive point player who came in second place for MVP.