Photos by Mr. Meljohn Tatel

The Cinderella run of the Ateneo Golden Knights finally ended as they wound up as first runner up in the conclusion of the Area Juniors Finals of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on October 10, 2010 at the Naga City Civic Center.

The feat of the Ateneo High School Basketball team was an improvement from last year’s accomplishments and a boost for Ateneo basketball program whose main thrust is to mold its players to be student athletes. Paired with this achievement, the Knights had a good run in the elimination round as they mustered four straight wins and hurdled down the teams of Camarines Sur National High School, St. Joseph School, Partido State University, and Naga City Montessori before falling short to the eventual champion, Naga City Montessori twice, in the elimination and finals.

The 14-man rotation is composed of Dominic Arrabe, Andrew Joseph Espiritu, Bernard Joseph Importante, Paul Nino Lacanlale, John Paul Llorin, Hand Jeremy Olitoquit, Jan Alfred Peralta, Ian Brent Serviano, Jessie Ticar, Carlo Pio Timbalopez, Archie Benedic Tria, John Felix Valenzuela, John Paul Verdadero, and Kenneth Wu.

The members of the Ateneo Basketball team hope that the experience they had will get them to greater heights as the team now is setting their eyes on the annual Catholic Education Association of Caceres and Libmaman (CEACAL) Meet this month.