Now tied at 3-1 apiece in the team standings with University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University, Ateneo de Manila certainly has to start regaining its mental focus if it wants to maintain its consistency in the Blue Eagles’ bid for back-to-back UAAP men’s basketball title this season.

The Blue Eagles, sure, remain the solid favorites to win the UAAP crown, but after their 58-68 shocking defeat at the hands of the lowly UP Fighting Maroons this afternoon, at least, six other UAAP teams now know that Ateneo can be beaten.

Admittedly, Ateneo coach Norman Black said during the post-game interview with the press that his team played a little too overconfident, an attitude that proved detrimental to the Blue Eagles’ aim for a fourth straight win.

Ateneo probably thought that its three straight wins to start the UAAP’s 72^nd season has given the team enough momentum considering the Blue Eagles brought down three title contenders—FEU, University of the East and Santo Tomas.

The Fighting Maroons though played a spirited performance against their Katipunan-based counterparts that finally ended the Blue Eagles’ five-year domination in their head-to-head duel.

While it’s still too early to say which team has the serious lock for the UAAP championship, I personally believe, Ateneo is capable of bouncing back from such a stinging defeat.

As long as the Blue Eagles don’t bite into the deadly “Pride Syndrome”, a malady that can easily bring down any powerhouse team at any given day, Ateneo can make another dominant title run this season.

Otherwise, FEU, Santo Tomas, and possibly, UE, could complicate things this season, or perhaps, one of these three teams could steal the crown away from Ateneo.

How about you? Which do you think will rule the UAAP 72^nd season?