#FilOil2019: New kids on Ateneo s block assures post-Kai era will be all right

SAN JUAN -- The struggle is real for Reggie Varilla, as Ateneo come to grips of the reality of school sports: people come and go.

"We're rebuilding, literally rebuilding now," said the Blue Eaglets mentor after escaping past Adamson last Mother's Day in the lone game of the Juniors division of the FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup. 

"Medyo masakit pa sa mata but we're trying our best. These guys are ready to step up and lead the team," he added as he referred to Forthsky Padrigao, Ian Espinosa and Joaquin Jaymalin as the three veterans of the team after their twin tower combo of Kai Sotto and Geo Chiu departed the nest. "Still we're not yet perfect, but we're putting it one game at a time."

The loss of Sotto and Chiu had a huge effect on their ceiling as they were become one of the smallest teams in the tournament, but Varilla counts on the same experience as they retrace their roots playing small ball, despite opening game jitters that got them eyesores.

"Yung Ateneo we're used to play small ball naman. and even before, the time nina Mike (Nieto) he was our center," referring to the UAAP Juniors MVP four years ago, when the Blue Eaglets swept the regular season en route to their eighteenth title. "Now we are re-learning kung ano yung totoong character namin before."

Citing the exploits of the Salvador twins and new recruit Joshua Lazaro, Varilla now had the luxury of a very deep bench.

"Siguro yung rotation namin from last year na parang 8-10 players, this time we have to use 12-15 players So malaking boost yun."

Only on his second year with Ateneo, Padrigao was quickly thusted to the spotlight as one of its leaders. "Nag-aadjust pa kami. Last year may kuya pa kami," he said. "Ngayon, kami na yung isa sa nga leaders ng team so kelangan namin magstep-up para manalo yung team."

(photo by FilOil FlyingV Sports)