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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Sunday, March 11, 2018
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MANILA – High school standout Sam Josef “SJ” Belangel is not about to change his jersey color after announcing his commitment to play for Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP seniors division.
Blue Eagles team manager Christopher Quimpo said the Bacolod City native has decided to stay with Ateneo after recently steering the Blue Eaglets to the UAAP juniors title.
“SJ has decided to stay with Ateneo for college,” Quimpo said. “Definitely his commitment is good news for the Ateneo basketball program and the whole [Ateneo] community.”
The 18-year-old Belangel, who also suited up for Bacolod Tay Tung High School before, has been one of the vital cogs for Blue Eaglets, averaging 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per outing.
But Belangel is expected to fight for minutes at the Blue Eagles with fellow guards Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III, Matt Nieto, Anton Asistio, Gian Mamuyac, Aaron Black, Tyler Tio, and the returning Adrian Wong.
Unlike Belangel, his Blue Eaglets teammate Dave Ildefonso decided to move to National University Bulldogs, where he will join his brother Shawn and father PBA legend Danilo, one of the team’s assistant coaches.
“The past five years have gone by so fast and I am more than grateful for what Ateneo has given me,” Ildefonso said. “They helped a 13-year-old boy find what his passion truly is. I’ve been given opportunities that I never thought I would have gotten.”
Ildefonso averaged 13.1 points (44 percent shooting), 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last season, allowing him to be named in the Mythical Team for the second time./PN
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