Kristian Porter. UAAP Media

MANILA -- Promising prospects Kristian Porter and Femi Edu have committed to play for the Blue Eagles, the Ateneo de Manila University announced on Thursday.

Both players are eligible to suit up for the Blue and White starting UAAP Season 87.

Femi, 18, is the younger brother of Gilas Pilipinas Men pool member AJ, stands at 6-foot-4, and plays guard. Meanwhile, Kristian, also 18, is the younger brother of former Blue Eagle Kris and is a 6-foot-5 forward.

"Throughout my entire school life, I've been an Atenean. From Ateneo de Cebu to Ateneo de Manila, so you could say I bleed blue. Continuing this tradition into my college years brings me immense joy," said Porter, who was a part of the Gilas Boys' team that placed sixth in the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship back in 2022.

He will reunite with Magis Eagles Jared Bahay, Michael Asoro, and Raffy Celis, as well as former Gilas teammates Mason Amos, Kyle Gamber, Kobe Demisana, and Lebron Nieto at Ateneo.

"It warms my heart to see familiar faces from my past. Being able to play alongside them once again, especially on the collegiate stage, is nothing short of amazing. It makes me reminisce about our shared memories and reflect on our journey to where we are now," said Porter, who will enroll in the school's Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Meanwhile, Edu said he chose Ateneo because of its academic program.

"I've heard many positive things about the school, both academically and otherwise. I simply want to be a part of that," said Edu, who is planning to enter the school's Computer Science program.Femi Edu. Handout photo

The visit from Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin to the Edu family home last February played a significant role in his decision.

"That was certainly significant because it helped foster a relationship with Tab. My family really appreciated it," added Edu, who will arrive in the country late June after graduating from Copleston High School in Ipswich. "It played a major role in my decision to choose Ateneo."

Baldwin says they are "excited" to add both players to their program.

"He's a good young player, an excellent athlete with good size. The challenge he probably needs to overcome as quickly as possible is transitioning from the England-style of basketball to ours. As everyone knows, England's a soccer-dominated culture. There's experience and competition he needs to adapt to," the coach said of Edu.

"We're really happy with Kristian being part of the program. He will be an impact player very quickly," Baldwin also said. "We need depth in our frontline, and he provides that. He is going to play significant minutes for us. I love his basketball IQ."

"Our goal with Kristian is to develop his physical attributes as well as his skills. As an undersized big man, we aim to expand his game and transition him towards the perimeter. He has to work really hard to achieve that, but his basketball IQ and skill level will allow him to be an impact player right away," he added.

The Blue Eagles finished with a 7-7 win-loss record in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament, and lost to the University of the Philippines in the Final 4.