UAAP Season 78: FEU out to foil NU’s back-to-back bid

The presence of Mac Belo alone makes FEU a dangerous team to face. Belo, who is in his final playing year, and the rest of the Tamaraws feel this season is their best chance to win it all. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Embracing its tag as this season’s favorite, Far Eastern University hopes to prove everyone right that the Tamaraws are indeed primed for the UAAP men’s basketball championship.

“Maybe this is our best chance because of our group of veterans,” said FEU coach Nash Racela as his Tamaraws loom as the biggest threat to National University’s bid for back-to-back crowns.

“For sure we’ll do our best this year,” added Racela, who boasts a solid core led by Mac Belo and Mike Tolomia. “Hopefully, we’ll have a favorable outcome after this season.”

Season 78 unfolds this Saturday at 12 noon at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

University of the East and University of the Philippines kick off the action at 2 p.m., while University of Santo Tomas and Adamson clash at 4 p.m.

“We’re very thankful for the opportunity to win the championship last year, but that’s over and done with,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano, who steered the Bulldogs past the Tamaraws in last year’s Finals to end a 60-year title drought.

“This is a new season and we want to have the same approach—to give our best and hopefully have another run,” noted Altamirano during the press conference Tuesday at Gloria Maris in Gateway.

Rivals Ateneo and La Salle, who are banking on two of the league’s biggest stars, also target to get past the Final Four this time.