News & Updates

Ateneo Lands Trio of SHS-AdC Stars for UAAP Men’s Basketball

The Ateneo Blue Eagles are bolstering their future roster with the addition of three high school standouts from Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC): Jelo Rota, Lars Fjellvang, and Alden Cainglet. The trio officially committed to the Blue Eagles during an event held in Cebu on Tuesday morning, December 10, according to team doctor Rhoel Dejano, who is also their manager.

Rota, Fjellvang, and Cainglet are the latest Magis Eagles to join the Ateneo program, following in the footsteps of their former teammates Jared Bahay and Michael Asoro, both of whom are already with the Blue Eagles. Their arrival signals another infusion of top-tier talent into the Katipunan-based squad, as they look to reclaim their spot in the UAAP Final Four.

The commitments come on the heels of the trio leading SHS-AdC to its fourth consecutive Cesafi juniors championship, capping off a dominant season by sweeping the finals against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars. This triumph marked the Magis Eagles’ eighth overall title, the most in Cesafi history, surpassing the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers’ previous record of seven titles.

Jelo Rota is a 6-foot-5 forward who drew interest from several top-tier programs before committing to Ateneo. His standout performance this past season included a remarkable output of 28 points, 16 rebounds, 2 steals, and an efficient 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%) against the DBTC Greywolves. His size, skill, and versatility are expected to be key assets for the Blue Eagles.

“Its an honor for me and my family to be given the chance to play for Ateneo in the UAAP. I never imagined that an island boy from Bantayan would be able reach this far. What was a dream before has now become a reality,” Rota said.

Alden Cainglet, a 6-foot-2 guard, showcased his sharpshooting ability in the finals. In Game 1 of the championship series, Cainglet poured in 19 points, hitting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. His scoring prowess and ability to perform under pressure will provide the Blue Eagles with another reliable backcourt option.

“Playing in UAAP has been my dream since I started playing basketball and I’m very excited for this new journey especially that I’ll be in the Ateneo Blue Eagles,” Cainglet expressed his excitement.

Lars Fjellvang, a Filipino-Norwegian talent, will bring much-needed depth to Ateneo’s wing and big man rotation. Standing 6-foot-7, Fjellvang’s ability to crash the boards was evident when he posted 11 points and 13 rebounds in a key win against the UCLM Junior Webmasters. His skills and adaptability will be valuable assets in Ateneo’s system.

“I’m very excited to join the Ateneo Blue Eagles for my college journey, it’s been my dream to play in the UAAP,  especially playing under Coach Tab,” Fjellvang stated.

The trio are further examples of the superb developmental program being handled by head coach Rommel Rasmo at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. There are still other notable talents such as Froilan Maglasang waiting for the opportunity to display what they are capable of.

RELATED: Grayson Rogers Commits to Ateneo Blue Eagles

Securing the Future

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo were in attendance during the Magis Eagles’ finals series, sealing the deal with the trio after witnessing their championship performance firsthand. Their successful recruitment is a testament to the Blue Eagles’ continued commitment to building a formidable roster through elite homegrown talent.

With the addition of Rota, Cainglet, and Fjellvang, the Ateneo Blue Eagles are poised to strengthen their bid for a return to UAAP prominence.