After 10+ years, Ateneo is once again 10U PAYA basketball champion

It’s been a long time coming! But after more than ten years and a pandemic in between, the Ateneo Blue Eagles have soared to the skies once again, sweeping the 2022-2023 Philippine Athletic Youth Association (PAYA) Development League 10U (born 2012) basketball tournament to bring home the crown.

The members of the champion team are Ateneo de Manila Grade School boys Sam Arao (4-Sikatuna), Julian Baliwag (4-Lakandula), Cash Escalona (5-Maguindanao), Karl Gandionco (5-Tagbanwa), Julian German (4-Sumakwel), Pierce Ibuyan (5-Mangyan), Marco Jorge (5-Dumagat), Jacob Liwanag (5-Talaandig), Marion Mabigat (5-Ivatan), Gavin Manlutac (5-Ivatan), Jaime Ong (5-Talaandig), Manolo Pasion (5-Ifugao), Luke Redulla (4-Rajah Matanda), Miguel Violago (4-Sikatuna), and Keno Ymasa (5-Mangyan). They are coached by Ronald Perada.

With a perfect 6-0 record, the blue-and-white were dominant on both ends of the court, defeating Xavier, Claret, De La Salle Zobel, and Lasalle Greenhills with an average lead of 30 points per game.

The PAYA tournament was held at Xavier School in San Juan and Claret School in Quezon City, beginning on November 22, 2022, and concluding on February 11, 2023.