Don’t count out Ateneo, La Salle yet, rival says

Fierce rivals Ateneo and La Salle may be fielding rookie-laden rosters, but opponents still rank the two popular squads as top contenders in this season’s UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

Controversial guards Jerie Pingoy and Hubert Cani head the Blue Eagles’ eight new recruits, while former San Beda high school star Andrei Caracut leads the Green Archers’ nine rookies.

Opposing coaches, though, still predict that both teams will crash into the Final Four.

“Ateneo has a rookie-laden team, but their rookies are blue-chippers,” said coach Eric Altamirano of defending champion National U. “La Salle is also deep in their bench.”

Pingoy and Cani, both former UAAP juniors standouts, finally get to suit up after an arduous battle with the league’s residency rules.

“We had zero in the point guard position, so they’re really the two that we’re relying on,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol.

Last season’s UAAP juniors MVP Mike Nieto and his twin brother and Mythical Five member Matt Nieto of the Blue Eaglets are also among Ateneo’s stellar recruits along with 6-foot-9 Nigerian Ikeh Chibueze.

Caracut, the NCAA juniors Finals MVP who powered the Red Cubs to a sixth straight title last year, will lead La Salle newcomers.

“Andrei can play both 1 (point guard) and 2 (shooting guard),”  said La Salle coach Juno Sauler. “Just the versatility that Andrei brings to team will be a big help.”

The Archers and the Eagles kick off their campaigns versus last season’s finalists this Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

La Salle takes on NU at 12 noon, while Ateneo battles Far Eastern U at 4 p.m. Tickets will be sold separately.