By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - July 26, 2008
Far Eastern University collides with University of the East today, seeking a fourth victory in five games in the 71st University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
With key player Mac Baracael still recovering from a gunshot wound in a Quezon City hospital, the Tamaraws take the floor at 4 p.m. against the Warriors.
FEU coach Glen Capacio said the team is still in a state of shock over what befell Baracael who was shot Thursday night by an unknown assailant after team practice.
"Although tulala pa din kami sa nangyari basta kami maglalaro kami para kay Mac," Capacio said.
Without Baracael, the Tamaraws will lean on team captain Benedict Fernandez who scored 26 points during their 70-65 win over University of Santo Tomas.
Also providing help will be sophomore JR Cawaling, Mark Barroca, and big men Aldrich Ramos and Riel Cervantes.
The Warriors are coming off a big 87-58 victory over University of the Philippines and are expected to ride on the momentum to post their third win against two defeats.
What it lacks in ceiling, UE makes it up with quickness and aggressiveness.
"Actually, sanay kaming maglaro ng maliit but last few games kulang kami sa aggressiveness," said Pumaren. "Hopefully we show the same aggressiveness we played last game against FEU."
Against the Maroons, UE got an all-around effort from Hans Thiele who scored 15 points to lead four players in double figures.
Aside from Thiele, James Martinez, Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas and Marcy Arellano are expected to contribute for the Recto-based dribblers.
In the opening game, De La Salle eyes for a fifth consecutive victory when it faces lowly University of the Philippines at 2 p.m.
La Salle coach Franz Pumaren is careful not to underestimate the Maroons.
"We cannot relax, I think UP has matured enough, if you look at them they don’t have any rookies so nakakatakot din," Pumaren said.
JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer are expected to play another strong game alongside role players Bader Malabes, James Mangahas, and Peejay Barua.
UP, which dropped four straight matches after an opening day triumph over National University, will rely on old hands Martin Reyes, Magi Sison, and Jay Agbayani.
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