INQUIRER Sports

I HAD A REALLY ENJOYABLE weekend watching the Ateneo-UST UAAP game at the Araneta Coliseum with my wife and son.

It was a pleasure to see that the largest coliseum in the Philippines remains in top shape. The level of security, the pleasing staff and superb maintenance truly make it one of a kind in our country.

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As we enter into the last weeks of a very successful UAAP season, it?s beginning to look like a repeat by the well-funded, well-fed and well-coached Ateneo Blue Eagles.

The tremendous development of their players, especially Rabeh Al-Hussaini, who when we first saw him looked more suited to play rugby than basketball, is very commendable.

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The FEU Tamaraws, who were supposed to put up a challenge to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, are now hard-pressed to make the finals in their knockout match with the UE Red Warriors this Thursday.

The Tamaraws made a very bold move in deciding to no longer use the services of their star player, Andy Barroca.

(Barroca, who played below par in FEU?s last two games, was removed from the Tams? roster for good before Saturday?s game against UE which the Warriors won, 84-74, to forge a rubber match for the second title slot.?Ed)

This very painful decision has definitely made their chances of reaching the finals more difficult.

And even if they do make it to the finals, they will have a slimmer chance against the defending champion Blue Eagles minus Barroca.

I don?t think any other school would have made the same decision at such a crucial point in the season.

I?ve been around basketball for a very long time and I?ve seen and experienced a lot.

This move made by the Tamaraws leaves me with nothing but admiration for them, for having the guts and the heart to do it.

From deep in my heart, I salute you!

This is a moral victory that will reign supreme over all the other UAAP crowns the FEU Tamaraws have won and will win in the future.

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