Ateneo de Manila University's one big fight can now move forward.
On Sunday, August 15, the Blue Eagles played their first game since the deaths of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia in a drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The tragedy on June 8 sent shockwaves through the team, the university and the UAAP, while drawing grief from across the country.
Their Sunday game against Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) in the Pinoyliga The Big Dance tournament, which Ateneo won, 71-60, marked a new beginning for the proud program as it prepares for its much-anticipated return to UAAP Season 89.
"We did not talk in the postgame; we just thanked God for allowing us to play," interim head coach Louie Alas, who took over after former head coach Tab Baldwin resigned, said in a quick media interaction after the win. "That's all, honestly. We are very thankful."
Alas' assistant coaches RJ Jazul, Kerby Raymundo and Gene Afable were also on the bench, alongside interim team manager Nico Salva, in front of an Atenean-heavy crowd inside the Blue Eagle Gym.
The coaching staff is expected to guide the Blue Eagles when the UAAP season begins next month after the league barred former Baldwin assistants Dean Castaño, Jon Jacinto and Sandro Soriano from UAAP games.
Ateneo's first game since the tragedy was accompanied by noticeably tighter security, from the university gates to the entrance of the Blue Eagle Gym.
Media were also prohibited from approaching Blue Eagles players after the game.
It served as a reminder that while Ateneo has returned to competition, the program remains in a period of healing.
That heightened sense of caution could also be a preview of the environment surrounding the Blue Eagles when UAAP Season 89 begins.
On the court, one-and-done combo guard Travis Roberts led Ateneo with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and seven rebounds.
Robert is seen as a valuable offensive weapon for Ateneo in the upcoming season, much like last year's one-and-done players Kymani Ladi and Dominic Escobar.
Kieffer Alas, Louie's son, also had his moments with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jared Bahay dictated the tempo with seven points and five rebounds, while Waki Espina chipped in nine points.
Grayson Rogers made his presence felt defensively with three steals to go along with six points on 3-of-4 shooting.
EJ Kapihe, projected to be the team's main interior presence, had five points and two rebounds but showed the toughness that could translate well to the UAAP stage.
Ateneo, however, was without versatile forwards Andrew Bongo and Shawn Tuano, as well as lengthy guards Kyle Gamber and Matt De Luna, all of whom would provide a significant boost once Season 89 begins.
The Blue Eagles looked rusty through the first three quarters before pulling away in the fourth, outscoring OLFU, 21-13, to secure the win.
But for Ateneo, the result mattered less than simply being back on the court.
The game offered a glimpse of where the Blue Eagles stand just a week after the UAAP cleared Ateneo and its varsity teams to compete in Season 89.
"We expected the struggle in the early part [of the game], but with the way we practiced in the last two weeks, I said, eventually, we'll go back to this," Alas said.
Now, Ateneo has the remainder of the Pinoyliga tournament to reconnect as a team, rebuild its chemistry and make up for valuable time lost under difficult circumstances.
There is still plenty of work ahead, but after everything Ateneo has been through, simply taking the floor again is already a significant first step.
The Blue Eagles have a little over a month to pick up the pieces and prepare for the challenge of returning to the UAAP.