Ateneo de Manila finally secured the commitment of a student-athlete from their sister school in the Queen City of the South.
Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu standouts Raffy Celis and Michael Asoro officially made their decision to commit to Loyola Heights on Monday morning at their campus in Mandaue.
The two, alongside recent University of the Philippines commit Jared Bahay, helped secure the CESAFI high school title for the second straight season.
A native of Bacolod, Celis was ranked 21st in the NBTC 24, and averaged a double-double during the recently concluded NBTC National Finals. He put up 17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals, numbers that got him a nod in the tournament's Mythical Team.
The 6'3 wing player shares, "Gustong-gusto ko talaga mag-Ateneo hindi lamang dahil sa basketball -- madami ako matutunan sa life at lalo na being under Coach Tab (Baldwin)."
He also adds, "I also graduated from Ateneo. Blue planted blue."
A native of Lapu-Lapu City, Asoro averaged 17.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists at the NBTC National Finals, earning a nod in the 2023 NBTC All-Star Game in the process
The nephew of NU legend Edwin Asoro, he says about his commitment, "Gusto ko talaga mag Ateneo kasi gustong gusto ko talaga dati na makalaro at mag-graduate sa Ateneo."
Michael also adds, "Alam ko na hindi lang basketball 'yung ituturo sa amin pati sa life and academics rin."
With the departure of Ange Kouame, Dave Ildefonso, and BJ Andrade, the two will serve as key pieces for the Blue Eagles' plans of a successful title defense, with both players set to graduate this year and potentially be available starting this coming UAAP Season 86. They will join a recruiting class that also includes Kyle Gamber and Mason Amos.
Head coach Tab Baldwin notes about the two's commitment to Ateneo, "One of the limitations that we face as the Ateneo coaching staff is our ability to recruit players, which is affected by the academic process. We can confidently say that both of these guys possess the academic ability to be part of Ateneo. I would like to thank Sacred Heart School for everything you’ve done to bring these two young men to this point. We are very proud that they will be part of our program."
Serving as witnesses to the event are a couple of school officials in president Fr. Michael Pineda, SJ, and formation director Fr. Nono Levosada, SJ, Magis Eagles coaches Rommel Rasmo and Francis Auquico, and Landmasters executive vice president Franco Soberano.
Fr. Pineda shares, "Ateneo de Cebu is extremely proud of Raffy and Michael for their contributions to our basketball program, leading us to a championship. We believe in their character and are grateful for both of them. They are happy to be going to another Ateneo school where they will be coached by Tab."
He adds, "We know that they are in good hands and will be part of a team that will help build good relationships with them, as we believe that these relationships will matter in the end."
