After its conquest of the 12th Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup recently, Ateneo will be put to test anew, this time on the international stage.
The Blue Eagles will don the country's colors in the 40th Jones Cup in Taiwan two months before defending their title in the UAAP.
Left with the daunting task to represent the country in the pocket tournament, UAAP Season 80 Finals MVP Thirdy Ravena feels a different kind of pressure creeping in.
"Coming into the Jones Cup, our target is to represent the university and country as well. But our goal is to play to the best of our abilities," Ravena said.
His teammate, Matt Nieto, shared a similar sentiment. Although they are up against older, not to mention stronger foes in the annual showpiece in Taiwan, the Blue Eagles are up to the task.
"We're not really ready but our goal is to improve as individuals. For me, the Jones Cup is a new challenge. It will test how ready we are for the UAAP," Nieto said.
Knowing the young team backed by Chooks-to-Go is up against a tough competition, Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president Ronald Mascarinas is tempering expectations.
"No doubt, it will be a tough campaign as you will face players much, much older and more experienced," Mascarinas told the team visited the headquarters of Bounty Agro Ventures Incorporated in Ortigas Centre, Pasig City when it visited the headquarters of Bounty Agro Ventures Incorporated in Ortigas Centre, Pasig City on Wednesday.
"But as what you've shown last year in the UAAP in stopping the unstoppable Ben Mbala, anything is possible with a good system and discipline."
The experience the Blue Eagles will gain from this tournament will go a long way with their development.
"There are a lot of players more experienced than you who want to play in the Jones Cup. But even if you are the youngest team we ever sent, you earned this," he furthered.
"It is always a great honor to represent the country but it also carries a lot of responsibility. People will always judge us with the way we play basketball. But what is important is how we represent ourselves as Filipinos."
The team leaves for Taiwan on Friday in time for the opening ceremony on Saturday. The next day, Ateneo takes on Chinese-Taipei (white) at 5 p.m.