By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — Adamson vs La Salle
4 p.m. — FEU vs Ateneo
Pacesetting Ateneo intends to formalize its entry to the Final Four against host Far Eastern University today in the resumption of the UAAP Season 80 basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is at 4 p.m., with the Blue Eagles determined to repeat a 94-82 victory over the Tamaraws last Sept. 17, stretch their unbeaten run to 10 games and clinch a return ticket to the semifinal stage in the quickest possible way.
Fatigue, however, could take its toll on Ateneo since it will be playing for the third time in a week’s span and that is something that worries Blue Eagles assistant Sandy Arespacochaga.
“It’s just a short rest for us and we’re up against a fast, athletic and dangerous FEU team,” he said, sounding cautious of the task at hand since the well-rested Tamaraws are coming off a sound 96-70 beating of hapless University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers over the weekend.
“We’ve got a tough work cut out for us. That’s why we need to make sure that we rest and recover properly. The guys should be humble and stay focused on the next goal because that’s the most important thing.”
Especially going up against a fired-up FEU crew raring to derail what’s been a speeding Ateneo train so far.
“They’ve been playing really great basketball. We’ll look for ways to try to stop them. It’s gonna be a tough game for us but we will be there fighting,” assured Tamaraws coach Olsen Racela.
Clashing in what promises to be an exciting opener set at 2 p.m. are defending champion La Salle and dangerous Adamson, both aiming to gain an inside track for a Top 2 finish that merits a pair of coveted once-to-win incentives in the semis.
The Green Archers, behind reigning league MVP Ben Mbala’s impressive return from a two-game absence, got off to a strong start but needed some crucial plays on both ends to hold off the Soaring Falcons’ fightback for an 85-73 victory last Sept. 17.
Adamson coach Franz Pumaren is hoping his wards can put the bitter lesson to good use since he’s been raring to get back at La Salle, which he led to five UAAP titles before, and force a two-way tie for the No. 2 spot.
“It’s one team that we really have to hurdle. It’s important for us in terms of rankings. I’ll be a hypocrite if I tell you that we’re not aiming for the Top 2. That’s our main goal right now,” he said.
