THE Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Blue Knights will represent the Unit IV in the forthcoming 2018 Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) meet after beating its arch-nemesis Assumption College of Davao (ACD) Blue Warriors 62-52, in the finals of the 2018 Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) Sportsfest Grade School basketball tournament held at the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Bajada Campus on Saturday afternoon, September 8.
The Blue Knights relied mainly on their starters Samuel Nathan Torres, Eio Julianne Rosco, Jose Julio Garcia, IV, Felix Justin Domingo and Sean Hilay, who almost played the entire 40 minutes.
"We were very fortunate because we have a lot of ongoing tournaments right now so the gelling process and the system application are being practiced regularly," Addu head coach Harry Hipolito said.
Their defensive system, teamwork, and the players' will to win were the key to success.
"We were down by 12 in the opening period but we never gave up, instead we continued to pressure them until they loosen up down the stretch," Hipolito added,
considering the Blue Warriors a team to beat.
"We were the defending champions but ACD were bigger and taller. So my fellow coach and I scouted them on their semifinal game and decided that we have to exceed their intensity and hustle and put tremendous pressure on their point guards so that they will get tired easily."
More than cherishing the feat, the Blue Knights is much excited as they eye for the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) which will serve as qualifier for the 2018 Palarong Pambansa in Davao City.
Completing Addu's roster are Andre Joshua Cayoca, Alex Christian Almario, Charles Ferrando, Enrico Martin, Jethro Andrion, John Paul Lantajo, Matt Talania, Niño Tyrone Delvo and Jhian Gerald Cornejo.
