By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - July 31, 2008
Ateneo is on a five-game winning roll but can the Eagles extend their streak against the inspired Far Eastern University squad?
Even Ateneo coach Norman Black admits that they are out to raise their level of game above everybody’s expectations to prevail over the Morayta-based squad today in the UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
"FEU is playing with a lot of emotions because of (Mac) Baracael," Black mentioned. "So not only we are worried about their talent, but also their emotions."
The Blue Eagles have posted their best start since winning eight straight two seasons ago and are now just two wins shy of sweeping the first round of hostilities.
But the Tamaraws proved they can also rise above adversity as shown in their 71-69 win over the University of the East Warriors last Saturday, a game which UE placed under protest.
The 5-1 Tamaraws take the challenge of the Eagles starting at 4 p.m.
Clashing in the other game at 2 p.m. are 2006 champion University of Santo Tomas and National University with the Tigers gunning for their first back-to-back wins.
The Growling Tigers won in overtime last Sunday, 86-80, as Dylan Ababou and Jervy Cruz led the charge for the España-based squad despite missing the services of ace point guard Japs Cuan.
Cuan is nursing a torn meniscus and remains a doubtful starter today.
But the Bulldogs, who have lost their first five games, hope to finally nab their first win with leading scorer Edwin Asoro, Jessey Garcia, and Raymund Aguilar at the helm.
"I’m not worried about sweeping anything," said Black who will again rely on ace player Chris Tiu, Erick Salamat, Nonoy Baclao, Rabeh Hussaini and rookie sensation Ryan Buenafe.
The 6-foot Tiu made 17 points in Sunday’s 74-62 victory over NU while Al-Hussaini, Salamat, Buenafe and Baclao provided solid support.
Sans Baracael, FEU got a lift from team captain Benedict Fernandez and JR Cawaling last Saturday and will hope to have a repeat performance from the two.
Providing help are big men Aldrich Ramos and Riel Cervantes, a ballhandler Mark Barroca, who hit the go-ahead basket.
Meanwhile, Adamson University head coach Leo Austria is seeking a clarification about the game-tying three made by UST rookie Clark Bautista in regulation during their 86-80 overtime loss to the Tigers last Sunday.
Bautista sent the game into an extra session after draining a triple with seven ticks remaining to tie the game at 73-73.
Austria said in the television footage they saw, Bautista appeared to have stepped on the line, making his shot count for only two points. However, he admitted that the team didn’t issue a challenge regarding the said basket, nor sign the score sheet immediately after the game for the protest to be valid.
He added that their athletic director has sought the help of ABS-CBN to further clarify the shot. The school could possibly file a protest despite their team captain not signing the score sheet.
"Once na nakapag-decide kami na magfile ng protest, then we will try to make ways na makapag-file ng protest despite the technicality na walang nakapag-sign sa score sheet," Austria said.
Custom Search
