Cebuano standout Raffy Celis departs Ateneo, eyes move to CSB
Photo courtesy of: UAAP Media Team
A blue-chip prospect hailing from Cebu’s impressive group of young basketball hopefuls has departed Katipunan and could soon make the move to Taft.
According to sources monitoring the situation, former Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu standout Raffy Celis has left the Ateneo Blue Eagles and is currently back in his hometown of Bacolod as he awaits the next chapter of his collegiate basketball story.
The next step, sources believe, is to enroll at and play with College of St. Benilde in the NCAA.
The 20-year-old, 6-foot-3 workhorse spent only one season as a Blue Eagle in UAAP Season 86. He played sparingly but registered an impressive showing against UST in both teams’ second-round matchup: 8 points, 11 rebounds (9 offensive), and 3 assists in just a shade under 17 minutes.
“We’ve always liked Raffy’s energy. It’s a big reason why we brought him into the program,” Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin said after the game.
Celis’ eligibility in Season 87 was in jeopardy because he didn’t meet the university’s required average to play in the UAAP.
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According to sources, CSB and San Beda showed interest in Celis after his decision to leave Ateneo. He ultimately chose to go green-and-white because of the belief and interest the Blazers showed in him.
Celis will have to do a year of residency in 2024 before beginning his first of four playing season of eligibility in NCAA Season 101 in 2025. He joins an impressive list of recent transferees who will bolster CSB’s roster in the foreseeable future.
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The Blue Eagles and Blazers actually had a tune-up game at CSB on Wednesday, July 31. The NCAA-based squad won by 22 with most of their Season 100 rotation in action. Ateneo, fresh off their camp at Inspire in Laguna, played with their FSA Victor Balogun and Season 87 rotation pieces.
