Stronger and better.

Ateneo De Manila University’s campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 goes beyond bringing the title back to Katipunan after four years.

For the Blue Eagles, it is also a journey of healing amid the team’s darkest episode.

New head coach Louie Alas is tempering expectations for the young and rebuilding Ateneo squad, which is still recovering from the tragic deaths of Nigerian foreign-student athlete Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on 8 June.

“Actually, they (Ateneo management) told me there are no expectations. Just play your best every time,” said Alas, who took over the job following the resignation of coach Tab Baldwin in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The Blue Eagles, which missed the Final Four in the past two seasons, open their campaign on 16 September against University of the East at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Three days after, Ateneo takes on last year’s runner-up University of the Philippines for Round 1 of the Battle of Katipunan. On 26 September, the Blue Eagles square off against Adamson University in the released partial first round competition schedule.

“We had a long vacation, so we will take it one game at a time. We are not lacking in preparation, mentally and physically, so we are positive that we can compete,” Alas said.

Blue-chip recruit rookie Kieffer Alas, son of Louie Alas, is expected to bring firepower and international experience to the Blue Eagles.

Alas is also pinning his hopes on one-and-done players Travis Roberts and EJ Kapihe, young gun Grayson Rogers and veterans Andrew Bongo, Jared Bahay and Shawn Tuano to improve Ateneo’s sixth place finish and 6-8 win-loss record last season.

“The veterans like Jared Bahay, Shawn Tuano and Drew Bongo. There are a lot of veterans, third- and fourth-year players. They will lead this team,” Alas said.

As part of its build-up, Ateneo has joined a couple of preseason games, including the Pinoyliga, where the team reached the Final Four.

“We promise that we will do everything to compete in this UAAP competition, and we will be tougher,” the mentor said.