UAAP: Baldwin on Escobar, Ladi, and Lazo: 'They’re not one-and-dones, they’re Ateneans'

For the Ateneo men’s basketball team, the “Blue Eagles, Band of Brothers” is not just their battle cry. It is the ignited spirit each Blue Eagle carries with them even after their collegiate years.

Every UAAP cagers’ journey is different–whether it be exhausting their full eligibility, being a two-and-through, or in the case of Dominic Escobar, Kymani Ladi, and Jaden Lazo, being a one-and-done player. 

Playing years aside, Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin gave all his appreciation to the trio for committing to the university and embodying what it means to fight for the blue and white.

“We all acknowledge what Kai, Dom, and Jaden brought to the program, under tough circumstances. Everybody thinks that one-and-done is a magical cure. It certainly helped our program a lot, but the pressure on the players, the difficulty of integrating into a team in a short period of time and integrating into a competition which they literally knew nothing about,” Baldwin said.

“I have tremendous gratitude to these three guys. They are not one-and done, they’re Ateneans. They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do, and they’ve done it with a level of character that we didn’t know before they came in,” the multiple-time champion coach added.

“We’re not just losing three outstanding players, we’re losing three very good friends.”

Starting out guns ablazing in season 88, Ateneo rushed to a 4-0 win-loss record. However, on-court slumps started to ensue for the Katipunan-based team, finishing the rest of the year by only claiming two wins out of their last 10 games.

Despite missing out on a playoff seat in their lone year, Escobar was filled with gratitude for the whole Atenean community for accepting him, Ladi, and Lazo with open arms.

“Unfortunately, we were only here [for] one season. I wish we had come here sooner. But I’m very thankful to be part of this community. I’m very grateful for coach Tab and the rest of the coaching staff, and for the players and the team,” Escobar confessed.

“This is a brotherhood that I will forever cherish. I’m glad to say that I’m an Atenean,” Escobar added.

Echoing his fellow teammates sentiments, team captain Ladi is content with his time in Loyola Heights.

“I just really appreciate coach Tab for taking a chance on us, and I’ll forever be grateful for that, and to be a Blue Eagle,” the forward said.

“You know, there’s a lot of what ifs, what if he stayed, what if he was here. Well, it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day. But, I’m feeling content after this, after this game, and that, you know, we tried our best.”

For combo guard Lazo, his experience with Ateneo extends far beyond the four corners of the hardwood.

“It hurts me knowing that my last game at Ateneo is behind me. This part of my life has meant more to me than just basketball. In such a short amount of time, I have made countless memories, friendships, and personal growth that’ll last me a lifetime,” Lazo wrote in an Instagram post.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News