Blue Eagle Flashback is a series of immediate trips down the memory lane of UAAP Season 74, to celebrate and relish the Ateneo Blue Eagles' fourth consecutive championship. Enjoy the moments!
The Ateneo Blue Eagles formally opened their campaign for a fourth straight title with their match against the NCAA Season 86 champions, the San Beda Red Lions in the Fil-Oil Preseason Cup. And as many expected it to become, it was one epic preseason game. Both teams exchanged baskets and leads with one another, ultimately trying to prove who really is the team to beat.
With the Blue Eagles ahead by 5 points with 32 seconds left in the game, new Blue Eagle Kiefer Ravena had the ball in his hands. Already delivering amazing performances early in the game, he brought the Ateneo supporters off their feet once again as he lobbed a pass to fellow rookie Greg Slaughter, who finished the play with a huge dunk, giving the Blue Eagles the win.
At this point, many were actually speculating that the crown will stay in Katipunan because of the presence of these two rookies.
And it did. They eventually became the preseason champions by defeating San Beda again, this time with a lopsided win over the Red Lions. And a few months after, the UAAP crown was for the Blue Eagles to take.
