GOOD players are hard to come by. But having a good point guard will be a big plus for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Coach Bo Perasol said this after he took note of the role that rookie Cebuano player Jun Manzo will play for the team in their coming games and when they meet the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles at 4 p.m. today at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Jun Manzo was our stabilizer, together with our point guard Darrel Lim. He is going to get better as the season progresses,” said Perasol on their bid to secure their second consecutive win in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
When the Maroons won over the University of Santo Tomas Tigers, 74-73, last Sunday, Manzo’s pass in the last 1.4 seconds was one of the big plays that decided the game.
His pass set up Paul Desiderio for a game-winning triple, giving UP one of its few opening-day victories in past 10 years.
It will be a tall order for the Maroons as they clash with the Blue Eagles.
The Maroons will have to deal with Chibueze Ikeh, whose imposing presence underneath carried the Blue Eagles to an 85-65 victory over the Adamson Falcons.
Ikeh churned 14 of his 18 points and 13 of his 17 rebounds for the Blue Eagles, who took on the Falcons without Papi Sarr.
“He’s been playing well for us the past few weeks and practices. He has really stepped up his game,” said Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Earlier, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws meet the University of the East Warriors at 2 p.m.