Ateneo captains Chris Koon and Sean Quitevis are relishing the opportunity to help establish the Blue Eagles’ next chapter as they close out their collegiate careers in the UAAP.
Once upon a time, Chris Koon and Sean Quitevis were part of Ateneo’s championship-winning teams in the UAAP, sharing the court with the well-known BEBOB (Blue Eagles Band of Brothers) pioneers who established the Blue Eagles’ modern-day standard of excellence under Tab Baldwin.
Today, it’s a whole different period in Katipunan. Gone are those battle-tested veterans, and in are a younger generation of players undergoing the growing pains as they learn to uphold the standard of being a Blue Eagle.
Koon and Quitevis are now the veterans — team captains to be exact. Along with Baldwin, they now act as the guiding light as a new breed of excellence is being set up in the Blue and White camp.
“Honestly, it’s such a unique experience,” Quitevis told The GAME in a recent chat. “At the start of my Blue Eagle career, you know it was a lot of success. And it was excellence to be upheld. Now, it’s a new team and we’re going through a lot as a young team.
“But I see it as a unique experience to learn and grow, and it’s an opportunity for me to take lessons to bring into my future career. So I’m just enjoying every step of the journey.”
Koon had similar thoughts with his co-captain, telling The GAME, “Yeah, time goes fast. It’s crazy, but I take pride in that role. I love just being with these young guys, they’ve got so much to learn, so much to experience. I just tell them to embrace the moment, you know?”
Cebuano stars Jared Bahay and Kris Porter lead the Blue Eagles’ rookie charge, while Shawn Tuano is having a breakout sophomore year along with batchmate Andrew Bongo’s steady growth.
As Quitevis puts it, these young guns were already standouts coming out of high school. Talent isn’t an issue anymore, but seamlessly integrating that into the seniors’ ranks is a whole different story.
“So, we’re really just trying to teach them our culture, who we are as a team, and that’s been the toughest part, but it’s something that we need, especially wearing Blue Eagle jerseys. We have a culture to uphold,” he said.
As a winning program, representing Ateneo will come with a share of scrutiny. Aside from overcoming the growing pains, is the challenge of dealing with outside criticisms regarding the team’s unprecedented position.
“I think for me, personally, as well as talking to the team, it’s just to take it day by day. We don’t want to look at too much of social media. I know it’s hard to deny that. But, you know, just as a team, we gotta stick together, take it day by day, and, you know? Live with the results,” said Koon.
Koon and Quitevis also take it upon themselves to preserve the essence of BEBOB, which Baldwin started upon his arrival in Ateneo eight years ago. On top of this, the captains are among the last players to have teamed up with some BEBOB pioneers.
Koon has been with Ateneo since Season 84 and was able to play with SJ Belangel, Gian Mamuyac, Tyler Tio, and Raffy Verano before they graduated. Quitevis joined Team A in Season 85, which was the redemption year led by Ange Kouame, BJ Andrade, and Dave Ildefonso in their own farewell tour.
“The vets are here, but we’re just bits and pieces of it. But we talk about it a lot, it’s something that we believe is important for our future success. And I just hope that after I’m done with my career here in the Blue Eagles, they continue to foster that culture,” said Quitevis.
Koon hopes this batch will form their own culture while still honoring the past.
“You want to have a part of that BEBOB culture, but you also want to cultivate your own culture. So I think we’re starting to show…We’ve had a lot of low turnover games, I think that’s kind of been one of our positives,” said Koon, as the Eagles average a league-best 10.44 turnovers per game.
Fighting chance
By the time this story is released, Ateneo will be in the midst of battling through Round 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball eliminations. After taking down the UST Growling Tigers, a tough slate awaits the Eagles, which includes fellow Final Four hopeful Adamson, title favorites La Salle and UP, and another young, but bright team in the FEU Tamaraws.
It’s a long way to go, but these Eagles will continue to learn as eliminations come to a close. At the same time, they are eager to bounce back from their 1-6 start in Round 1.
“I think [Round 1] questioned our work ethic and our practices. I think we worked really hard, but in terms what we’re focusing on, in terms of practice and watching film, being able to study scouting reports, it helped us kind of reflect on that more,” said Koon.
“For us, it was really about not losing belief in each other and our coaching staff. It was about shutting out the outside noise and trusting our inner circle. And just continuing to fight for one another. There’s a lot left worth fighting for. So, we’re going to bring it to them every game,” added Quitevis.
Personally speaking, Chris Koon and Sean Quitevis hope to make the most out of their remaining games with the Blue Eagles. It’s been a roller-coaster ride, but the Ateneo community has welcomed them with open arms into the Eagles’ nest.
Now, it’s a matter of paying it forward as Season 87 gradually approaches its homestretch. After all, the support remains as strong as ever even in these trying times.
“Yeah, it’s bittersweet because I’m trying to embrace every moment that I have, but knowing that it’s going to come up on my last few games, it’s the last season, so just trying to embrace every moment,” said Koon.
Quitevis, meanwhile, cherished the Cebuano representation led by Bahay and Porter: “I enjoy having a lot more Cebuanos in the team, it allows me to practice my Bisaya a little more.”
“But it’s fresh, it’s a fresh perspective on life and I look to learn from them as well.”
Banner images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.