PLAYING the bulk of its assignments so early in the tournament, Ateneo faces another stern test today when it clashes with University of the East in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.
The Eagles seek their fifth win in six games in the 4:15 p.m. duel with the Warriors, who were impressive in their preseason debut last week.
Although the Eagles overcame the Letran Knights, 88-81, last Monday, Ateneo coach Bo Perasol said games against the UAAP teams are still the gauge of what his team is capable of.
“We’re not fooling ourselves, we know there are still so many things we need to work on,” Perasol said. “We have to mature as a team in the endgame. It’s going to take us some time to build that character.”
Kiefer Ravena picked up his game after a horrible outing against University of Santo Tomas, torching the Knights with 33 points.
Southwestern U eyes a breakthrough victory against Lyceum in the curtain-raiser at 12:45 p.m., before National U tangles with St. Benilde.
The Cobras’ maiden stint in the tournament has been a tough learning experience for the Cebu-based team, which has lost all its three games so far.
But their best chance of finally barging into the win column could come against Lyceum, a team that finished near the bottom of the NCAA last season.
The Cobras absorbed their third straight loss Monday when they bowed to the San Sebastian Stags, 63-74.
The Bulldogs got off to a strong start, nipping San Beda, 73-72, in overtime in the opening game of the tournament.