The Blue Eagles In Fil-Oil

Before turning on the TV or going to The Arena in San Juan to watch the Blue Eagles' games in the Fil-Oil, here are a few things to take note of:

1. Taste Test
The Fil-Oil Pre-Season games serve as a preview of what the Sixth Men have been dreaming of since Season 73. It is the first time that we will see how the long-awaited rookies, Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter among them, glue in with the rest of the Blue Eagles. We'll see how the near-legendary head honcho Norman Black modifies and adjusts the plays to accommodate their skills, or the other way around. This should be exciting, as we will see what does and does not work, and what adjustments will be made just in time for the UAAP season.

2.Highly Experimental
Most fans would say that Ateneo does not bring out its best during preseason tournaments. Quite the contrary Of course, as we all know, the Blue Eagles come in every match to make that One Big Fight; however, during pre-season games, one observation is that this comes in a highly experimental fashion. Interestingly, Coach Black somehow uses the pre-season to work out some combinations and lineups, using even more than 10 players in the rotation. Last year's Fil Oil tournament became an opportunity for back-up big men Jumbo Escueta and JP Erram to play heavy minutes, just to see if they will be effective. This year, we might see more of the newbies sweat it out and try to win it for the Blue Squad.

On the other hand, we have no idea how SBC will deal with this match, but because of the lineup's experimental nature, we should not be surprised if the Eagles get an L in this game. Is it a bad thing altogether? Certainly not, for this will enable the team to determine the holes and figure out ways to fill them in.

3.Crucial Cuts
A few days ago, word has been out that there will be four people who will be out from the team for an indefinite period of time for some reasons. Art dela Cruz, Jeric Estrada, and Chris de Chavez are three of them, and the other one would be, surprisingly, Ryan Buenafe (a separate article about Buenafe will later on explain the ramifications and consequences of his absence from the team) . In their place will be Paul Siarot, elevated after playing for Team Glory Be. And because of that, the roster rotation will have major adjustments and changes. We will see how Coach Black will be able to work his way out of this for the rest of the Fil-Oil Tournament, and possibly, for the UAAP Season.