W L
Ateneo 6 1
La Salle 6 2
FEU 5 2
UE 4 4
UST 3 4
Adamson 2 5
NU 2 6
UP 2 6
Games Saturday (PhilSports Arena)
2 p.m. — Adamson vs UST
4 p.m. — FEU vs Ateneo
MANILA, Philippines-As much as Ateneo de Manila University would like to enjoy its top rank status, its Blue Eagles know it’s difficult to have a firm hold of the lead this season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
“There are a lot of good teams in the league this year,” admitted Ateneo coach Norman Black. “I don’t think anybody can say they’re heads and shoulders above everybody else. You really have to play well for 40 minutes. Otherwise, you can get beaten.”
And the challenge continues as the Eagles start their second round campaign against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, the only squad that beat them in the first seven games of the men’s basketball competition.
“We just lost to them (last week), so it’s quite fresh in our minds,” said Black.
The Eagles will try to stay solo on top against the Tamaraws, who are running third with a 5-2 record, at 4 p.m. this Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.
A victory by the Tamaraws, however, will forge a three-way tie for the lead with the Eagles and defending champion De La Salle University Green Archers.
The University of Santo Tomas Tigers, ranked fifth at 3-4, hope to regain their winning form against the Adamson University Falcons at 2 p.m.
“The second round will be a different story,” said Pido Jarencio.
The Tigers are aiming to rebound from a 64-57 loss to the Eagles last Saturday, where reigning Most Valuable Player Jervy Cruz delivered a season-low eight points.
But with starting point guard Japs Cuan likely back soon from a meniscus injury, the Tigers are confident in disposing the Falcons anew.
Similarly hoping for a repeat victory are the Tamaraws, who halted the Eagles’ five-game winning run in a 72-66 decision.
But since then, the Tamaraws have lost another player as rookie big man Robert Kave decided to return to Papua New Guinea after raising fears about his safety here.
Kave witnessed the still unresolved shooting of teammate Mac Baracael, who’s recovering from a punctured lung and two fractured ribs.
“I think that’s what hurt them, they’re losing their depth as far as their big men are concerned,” said Black after watching the Tamaraws’ unexpected loss to the National Bulldogs, 69-61, last Sunday.
“Guys like (Edgar) Tanuan, and maybe even (Ron) Cabagnot, have to play a little bit more big. (Marlon) Adolfo has to play power forward now. It takes away a little bit of their strength, which is their big wingmen. Now these wing men have to play power forward positions.”
But Black said the Eagles also have some adjustments to do despite coming off a win over the Tigers.
“We have to do a better job rebounding the basketball,” he said. “Right now, we’re number one in the league, but it didn’t look like it (against UST). That’s something we have to improve on. But as long as the defense holds up, it gives us a chance of winning.”
Ateneo will again call on Chris Tiu to lead the Eagles, who will also lean on the services of Rabeh Al-Husseini, leading Rookie of the Year contender Ryan Buenafe, Eric Salamat and Nonoy Baclao.
Benedict Fernandez will spearhead the Tamaraws’ charge.
Against the Falcons, the Tigers hope to draw the best from a formidable crew that includes Cruz, Cuan, Dylan Ababou, Francis Allera and Mark Canlas.
University of Santo Tomas’ core is practically the same as the one in 2006, when the UST Tigers surprised the league by zooming from the bottom of the pack to the championship.
Adamson, meanwhile, will lean on Paul Gonzalgo and Marc Agustin.
