By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - July 17, 2008
Five days after barging into the win-column, defending champion La Salle and 2006 champion University of Santo Tomas test each other’s mettle when they clash today in the UAAP basketball tournament at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Green Archers and the Growling Tigers tangle at 4 p.m. with the winner gaining a share of second place with idle University of the East and the winner of the first game between Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines at 2 o’clock.
Ateneo de Manila is on top of the standings at 3-0 after beating the UE Warriors last Sunday.
Following their loss to the Blue Eagles in their first outing, the Archers bounced back with a 73-62 victory over the Tamaraws while UST recovered from its opening day setback to UE by trouncing UP, 94-75.
Despite their impressive showing against FEU, La Salle coach Franz Pumaren admits they have to play real smart on both ends to survive the expected challenge of the Tigers, who were unforgiving in their win over the Maroons the last time.
"UST really played well (last Saturday) and they’re big, so it’s going to be a tough game for us," said Pumaren.
On the other hand, UST mentor Pido Jarencio made his usual straightforward comment about his team’s preparation against the Taft-based dribblers.
"Kami naman walang pinapangako basta ready lang ang team sa kanila," remarked Jarencio.
With his brilliant 29-point output against the Tamaraws, JV Casio is likely to be a marked man by the Tigers. And so is 6-foot-6 Rico Maierhofer, who churned out 11 points and 17 rebounds.
With the Tigers likely to plot a strategy to limit the production of the two veterans, Pumaren needs more offensive from their role players such as Peejay Barua, James Mangahas, Bader Malabes, and rookies Joshua Webb and Hyram Bagatsing.
Expected to go down deep this time after their failure to retain their title last year, Jarencio will rely on PBL veterans Dylan Ababou, Francis Allera and reigning MVP Jervy Cruz. Ababou led the Tigers’ furious assault against the Maroons with 20 points.
In that match, the Tigers also got a big lift from rookie Jeric Fortuna. The former La Salle-Zobel standout fired 10 of his 11 points in the first quarter that helped UST rally from an early 8-point deficit en route to the runaway win. Japs Cuan, and Mark Canlas are also capable of providing the needed firepower for UST.
In the other match, FEU tactician Glen Capacio will rely on Mac Baracael and sophomore forward JR Cawaling and support from Mark Barroca, team captain Benedict Fernandez and Riel Cervantes.
Baracael had 14 points against DLSU while Cawaling and Barroca chipped in nine points apiece. But the Tams faltered down the stretch despite posting a nine-point lead in the third quarter.
The Fighting Maroons, meanwhile, needs to see more production from Martin Reyes, who was held to just four points after making 21 points in their opening day win over National University last July 6.
Center Magi Sison has shown some promise in the early parts of the season but he needs the support of Paul Sorongon, Mike Gamboa, and Andrew Marfori to pull off another surprise. The Maroons, who lost all their 14 games last season, beat NU last July 6.
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