Manila, Philippines–Unbeaten and unpredictable.
Far Eastern University aims to stay that way when it stakes its perfect record against a La Salle side banking on the momentum of a big win in UAAP men’s basketball action Thursday.
“Everyone can contribute, I think that makes us hard to scout,” said FEU coach Glenn Capacio. “We have about six to eight players who can take charge. That’s the good thing about our team.”
The Tamaraws go for a fifth straight victory against the Green Archers—fresh from their conquest of fierce rival Ateneo—in their 2 p.m. battle at the Araneta Coliseum.
“We know the momentum is on [the side of] La Salle,” said Capacio. “We have to prepare for their pressure defense. They play very good defense.”
University of Santo Tomas and National University, locked at 2-2 along with the idle Blue Eagles, collide at 4 p.m.
The Archers, whose lineup includes seven rookies and four sophomores, are surprisingly tied for second with
Adamson at 3-1.
“I always remind our players that we should start aggressive,” said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren. “We have to double our effort because FEU has all the advantage. They have a bigger lineup, they’ve been together longer and their players are more experienced.”
But La Salle’s young guns are proving to be tough under pressure.
Sophomore Samuel Joseph Marata came through in the clutch with back-to-back triples that boosted the Archers to a 66-63 upset over the defending champion Eagles last Saturday.
The rookies, led by former Letran juniors standout Jarelan Tampus and former RP Youth Team member Papot Paredes, have also stepped up for the Archers.
The Tamaraws drew a breakout game from rookie Terrence Romeo, who buried 21 points in the Tamaraws’ 94-70 rout of the University of the Philippines last Sunday.
“I hope he’ll be consistent,” said Capacio of Romeo, who set a league record as a junior player by drilling 83 points in a game last year. “We need him to step up because we know all the others teams are focusing their defense on RR Garcia.”
The Tigers, meanwhile, hope to sustain their streaky shooting after recording a staggering total of 32 triples in their last two games.