Mason Amos is not going anywhere.
Amos, the heart and soul of Ateneo de Manila University, will still be a Blue Eagle in Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament next year.
In a tweet last Friday, the sweet-shooting forward stressed that he couldn’t wait to make a return to help the Blue Eagles regain the crown that was taken away when University of the Philippines ripped them in the Final Four of Season 86.
“Can’t wait to run it back,” the 6-foot-7 Amos posted on social media last Friday.
The former Gilas Pilipinas stalwart had a sensational rookie season for the Blue Eagles under Kiwi-American mentor Tab Baldwin.
Although he had a slow start, he stepped on the gas in the crucial stretch of the eliminations, helping the Blue Eagles salvage the fourth spot in the Final Four.
Unfortunately for them, they ran into a powerhouse UP side in the semifinals that prompted them to kiss their crown goodbye.
Amos’ return is crucial to Ateneo’s title campaign after stalwarts like Jared Brown and Kai Ballungay announced that they will chase professional careers elsewhere.
Brown said he is grateful to Ateneo for taking care of him but becoming a professional cager has been his ultimate goal.
“For my future, I will be transitioning and preparing to become a professional, which has been a long life goal of mine. I would not have been able to be in this situation without the support of my family, coaches, teammates, and management,” the Filipino-American Brown posted on social media.
“I know my time as a Blue Eagle has been short but within this year I can genuinely say I have been a part of a family and a brotherhood that I will cherish forever.”
Aside from Amos, also returning is reigning Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao, who vowed to chase more individual honors when he suits up for De La Salle University next season.
“I want to go back-to-back in all of the awards and I want to be a role model for my teammates,” Quiambao, who brushed off numerous offers to turn pro, said.
“Coach Topex (Robinson) sent me a message and there I realized that I wouldn’t be able to experience the UAAP if I went for the opportunity in Japan.”
