Will Ateneo win it all?

And it’s not about the Eagles’ size or depth. It’s about their system and culture.

For a lot of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball fans, the Season 82 men’s basketball tournament is pretty much done.

After a lopsided Game 1 victory of the undefeated defending champion Ateneo de Manila University, fans are now expecting it to waltz its way to its first three-peat since the Norman Black era.

If you ask Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin or any of his assistant coaches, they would likely shrug off any thoughts of a sweep or a championship. For them, as good as the final buzzer sounds, it’s back to 0-0.

Yes, it sounds cliché and too good to be true, but remember that right after their Game 1 win last Saturday, Baldwin and his staff didn’t go straight home like most others.

Instead, they went back to Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, ordered in, and began their viewing session in preparation for Game 2.

This was after a game where the Blue Eagles looked like they were in full control, where they kept University of Santo Tomas (UST) at bay and even after various rallies waged by the Growling Tigers.

That’s the measure of Ateneo’s resolve. That is how badly they want to bring the UAAP title to Loyola Heights.

And, frankly speaking, how will UST be able to beat them anyway?

It’s possible, sure, but it’s going to be extremely — I mean, extremely — difficult.

Remember that even though UST has Most Valuable Player Soulemane Chabi Yo and Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy, Ateneo is, based on all available metrics, the best collegiate team in the entire country.

And it’s not about the Eagles’ size or depth. It’s about their system and culture.

I know that it seems so intangible that it almost hardly makes sense. But all I’m saying is that to beat Ateneo, UST needs to play at a level it has yet to play all season.

Sure, the Tigers nearly pulled the rug from the Eagles in the first round. But since then, Ateneo has all the answers and all the counters to any and all schemes that UST head coach Aldin Ayo had thrown.

Remember that Ateneo is either number one or two in most statistical categories both offensively and defensively. The Eagles are the best defensive team and second highest scoring team.

They also have the best field goal shooting and has the most potent ball movement, the toughest rim protection and the stingiest perimeter defense to name a few.

To be quite honest, no team in the history of the UAAP, at least as far as I can remember, had ever been this dominant.

And yet, the Eagles still haven’t really won anything unless they finally lock in the title.

For all Ateneo’s greatness this season, its elimination round sweep and Game 1 win will all be for naught should UST succeed in realizing its Cinderella tale.

The Eagles themselves know that “a sweep doesn’t mean a thing if there’s no ring.”

They have their eagle eyes on the prized and are primed for history.

Will it be the first team to ever go 16-0 in a season?

Will it be the only team to earn two three-peats in the Final Four era?

Still, Ateneo needs one more win and UST is still alive.

It’s all great drama set for Game 2 and I feel like it’s going to be a barnburner.