Building Brotherhood: How Escobar, Lazo Are Fitting in Ateneo
Ateneo basketball is no stranger to success. The Blue Eagles have dominated the UAAP for years, riding a wave of championship runs and powerhouse recruiting. But Season 87 exposed some cracks — the team faced stiff competition and fell short of their usual championship standards. Now, with fresh talent and renewed focus, Ateneo is gearing up for a rebound in what could be the final year of Tab Baldwin’s tenure.
Enter Dominic Escobar and Jaden Lazo, two Fil-Am guards recruited to inject new energy and skill into the squad. Their journey recently took an international turn when the team traveled to Spain for an intense training camp — an experience they say has already made a difference.
“We mostly stayed around the Madrid area,” Jaden Lazo shared on The Navs Effect podcast. “I thought the Spain trip was perfect for us in terms of learning the system, getting to know our teammates and coaches better. We had two practices a day while we were out there, which really helped us get familiar with the system and get some reps in before the UAAP season.”
Lazo emphasized the level of competition they faced. “We also got to play some games too out there — it was very competitive. You know, the Spaniards play really tough, and they’re smart and high IQ for the games. So it was really tough, competitive games, and I think it just made us better individually and as a team as well.”
Escobar added insight into how the trip extended beyond just practice and games. “We also went to some professional games, so we got to see what the professional scene was looking like, and we try to just implement whatever they were doing kind of into, like, our practices,” he said. “There was, like, a certain drill that we saw from a professional team. It was, like, a three-on-three full-court transition drill. We’ve added that in, and it’s brought, like, a different competitive edge to our practice.”
For Ateneo, this kind of exposure is invaluable. The Blue Eagles are blending their established culture of discipline and teamwork with the fresh perspectives and skills brought by recruits like Escobar and Lazo. Both players have college-level experience from Cal State LA, and their ability to adapt quickly has been key in Ateneo’s preparations for a tougher Season 88.
After a challenging year, the Blue Eagles’ training in Spain reflects a clear message: they’re not just aiming to get back to the top — they’re building a team that can play smarter and tougher.
To read about Escobar and Lazo’s commitment to the Blue Eagles, view here.
