Another former Blue Eagle is set to rebuild one of Ateneo de Manila University’s sporting programs.
Ford Arao has been appointed as the head coach of the school’s high school boys’ basketball team.
Arao has become a prominent big man coach in the country after a brief playing career in the PBA.
He is also an assistant coach for Ateneo’s men’s basketball team since 2016. He was also an assistant coach for PBA team NLEX.
Arao has already begun working with the Blue Eagles in the ongoing Asiabasket Youth League.
He takes over from Reggie Varilla, who has been coaching the team since UAAP Season 82.
After finishing fourth in Season 82, the Blue Eagles have struggled in the post-pandemic era, with schools like National University Nazareth School, Far Eastern University-Diliman, Adamson University, and University of Santo Tomas climbing the ranks.
In Season 85, the Blue Eagles missed the Final Four for the first time in school history.
Last season, Ateneo High School finished seventh with a 4-10 record.