ANOTHER Nieto — Lebron — is out to follow his brothers’ footsteps and continue a winning culture in the family.
The 18-year-old, who skippered the Gilas Pilipinas boys’ team that competed in last year’s FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship, has formally committed to suit up for Ateneo’s varsity squad.
In his senior year with Ateneo High School, Lebron was good for 16.46 points, 4.85 rebounds, 4.69 assists, and 2.85 steals per contest, earning him the No. 12 ranking in the NBTC 24 rankings.
He said it’s one thing to be an Atenean and is out to prove he belongs, like twin brothers Matt and Mike who were members of champion Ateneo’s three-peat triumph in 2019.
“Growing up, I always watched my brothers (Matt and Mike) play for the Blue and White in the UAAP, so it was a big dream of mine to play and win for Ateneo as well,” Nieto said.
“But to people saying that it was my destiny to be a Blue Eagle, I understand that many were expecting me to become a Blue Eagle, but to me, being a Blue Eagle is something that is earned– one that I worked hard for every day.
“So, I am very happy that I have been given the opportunity to play for the Blue and White, just like my father (Jet), brothers, and sister (Shawntel) did. Nothing was given easily, and I worked hard to showcase that I, too, can become a Blue Eagle and hopefully bring glory to Ateneo in the same way they did,” he added.
Lebron will be the fifth Nieto to play for the Blue Eagles.
His father, Dr. Jet, was part of the Ateneo team that bagged two straight crowns, while twins Matt and Mike played key roles in their three-peat run. Shawntel was part of the Ateneo women’s badminton team that ruled the league in 2013 and 2014.
“We are really pleased to bring Lebron into the team and obviously, he comes from a great pedigree with older brothers Matt and Mike being great servants to our program and done such a great job and now, they have moved on to the pros,” Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said.
“Just the fact that we have another Nieto in the squad is exciting for all the coaches and he has done a great job in training so far.”
The Eagles also linked up with 6-foot-8 big man Kobe Demisana, a graduating student from University of the Philippines Integrated School.
Demisana said Ateneo was one of his dream schools when he was growing up in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental.
“Growing up, Ateneo is one of my dream schools, but it was during my stay with Gilas (Youth) noong nagustuhan ko talaga iyong school,” Demisana, 18, a member the Philippine team that competed in the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship last August. “Noong time na iyon, sa Moro (Lorenzo Gym) kami at nakita ko na I can easily bond with them.
“But siyempre, the main reason I chose Ateneo is that I know I can grow more as a player and as a student here. Alam naman natin na Ateneo is one of the top universities in the Philippines and I will learn a lot here hindi lang sa court kung hindi pati rin sa about life after basketball.”
Back in August 2020, Demisana transferred from Bacolod Tay Tung High School to UPIS.
In his only season with UPIS, Demisana normed averages of 17.64 points, 12.64 rebounds, 4.07 blocks, 2.64 assists, and 2.14 steals. He was fourth in the Statistical Points race with 83.643, making him part of the UAAP Season 85 Juniors Mythical Team.
