FEU standout Terrence Romeo (right) hopes to pass more and involve his teammates this time around. August dela Cruz
Four days after forging an unsatisfactory win, Ateneo hopes to bring its fluid form back in a bid to keep hold of the solo lead in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
“We just have to improve our game; it’s as simple as that,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black. “If we don’t, it’s going to be tough again for us.”
The Blue Eagles—hardly looking like a dominant four-time champion in a previous game—vie for an eighth triumph against Far Eastern U at 4 p.m. today at Mall of Asia Arena.
University of Santo Tomas, sharing second with the Tamaraws at 7-2, clashes with La Salle at 12 noon.
The league braces for a busy week with four playdates in the next five days—starting with today’s blockbuster featuring the current top four teams—to make up for the playdates cancelled due to inclement weather.
Last Saturday, the Blue Eagles candidly admitted they luckily got away with a 73-66 victory over University of the Philippines.
“The breaks of the game went our way,” said Ateneo’s star guard Kiefer Ravena. “We can’t play like this, so we have to focus against FEU because they’re coming off a big win.”
The Tamaraws hope to avenge a 74-71 first-round loss to the Eagles with guard Terrence Romeo, who sizzled with seven triples in a 27-point outburst during FEU’s 76-68 Sunday win versus Adamson, leading the way.
“I wasn’t able to involve my teammates in our last game against Ateneo, so I’ll make sure to involve them now,” said Romeo.
The Tigers are also coming off a pulsating victory where they rallied from 17 points down to nip National University, 58-57, in overtime last Sunday.
“This team doesn’t quit until the end,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio.
The Tigers escaped the Archers in double overtime in their first meeting, 84-82, and La Salle coach Gee Abanilla braces for another tight showdown.
“We know it’s going to be hard versus UST because they’re very strong in almost all positions,” said Abanilla.