By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - July 19, 2008
If the trend continues, Ateneo will have an easy time picking up its fourth win when it tangles with University of the Philippines today in the 71st UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Blue Eagles are off to a strong start following three consecutive wins, capped off by a 64-58 win over University of the East last Sunday.
In their much-awaited encounter with bitter rival La Salle last July 6, the Eagles struggled early before eking out a 79-73 win. But against the Adamson Falcons, they coasted to a breezy 72-45 win what with their balanced attack.
They are again tipped as heavy favorites against the Maroons from the Diliman when they clash at 2 p.m.
In the second game, De La Salle hopes to secure solo second place when it meets National University at 4 p.m.
Ateneo has been led by Chris Tiu while getting support from role players such as Nonoy Baclao and UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week Rabeh Al-Hussaini, who posted 18 points and 17 rebounds in their win over the Red Warriors.
Norman Black’s team has also seen a solid production from rookie Ryan Buenafe, the prized recruit out of San Sebastian College. The former NCAA juniors Most Valuable Player is averaging 8.7 points and is hitting almost 50 percent from the field through three games.
Other players who are expected to spark for the Eagles are Eric Salamat, Jobe Nkemakolam, rookie Nico Salva, and Yuri Escueta.
"It’s a good start for us, still on track to our goal which is to get to the final four," Black said. "Last game we really utilize our size against UE, but it’s not going to be against them but it’s against all teams this year."
On the other hand, the Fighting Maroons have lost their last two games to University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University by an average of 21.5 points after beating NU in the opener last July 5.
But UP head coach Aboy Castro will rely heavily on Martin Reyes, Magi Sison, Paul Sorongon, Jay Agbayani, and Andrew Marfori.
Reyes, the sweet-shooting lefty, has led UP in scoring with a 12 points per game clip while Agbayani has posted a decent 10.3-point, 4.3-rebound numbers. Sison, meantime, is almost posting a double-double with numbers of 12.0 points and 9.0 boards.
Veterans Woody Co and Mike Gamboa are also out to provide some help for the young players of State U.
Meanwhile, the Green Archers hope to ride on their slim 85-84 win over UST on Thursday against the winless Bulldogs squad.
DLSU got a major boost from stars JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer but role players Bader Malabes and James Mangahas shone brightest at crunch time.
Malabes got 18 points and four three-pointers while Mangahas got 16 markers, including the go-ahead basket in the last minute to give La Salle a victory.
But head coach Franz Pumaren doesn’t see the Bulldogs lightly.
"We cannot be complacent on NU, they played pretty well against Adamson down the stretch they faltered," Pumaren said. "We just have to play the best of our abilities."
The Bulldogs are coming off another loss, this time to Adamson University, 73-65, last Sunday as they played catch up for the whole duration of the game.
NU mentor Manny Dandan is looking for another strong game from Edwin Asoro along with veterans Jonathan Jahnke and Raymund Aguilar.
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