LAST year, defending champion Far Eastern University had the twice-to-beat incentive and eased out the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 76-74, in their quest for a finals seat.
This time around, both teams are back in the Final Four semifinals, with the shoe on the other foot in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
The Blue Eagles now have the twice-to-beat incentive against the Tams when they meet at 4 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Coach Sandy Arespacochaga is aware of their situation in their quest to return to the finals for the first time in four years.
He believes that the Tams remain strong and that the Eagles have to prepare well against them.
“The team will not be thinking about that. Historically, there have been a lot of good matchups between Ateneo and FEU in the Final Four, and there have been upsets,” said Arespacochaga.
In 2001, Ateneo won over FEU, 67-63, to reach the finals for a dream encounter with the La Salle Green Archers.
And this is what will happen if the Blue Eagles hurdle the Tams.
The Blue Eagles score better than the Tams with 72.1 points, no. 2 in the league, while FEU is at no. 7 with 66.2 points.
Individually, the Tams have superior stats with Raymar Jose showing the way with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Monbert Arong can deliver 9.4 points. Then, there’s Allen Trinidad (9.1 points), Wendell Comboy(7.2 points) and Axel Inigo (8.3).
The Blue Eagles are behind with Thirdy Ravena leading with 9.9 points and 7.8 rebounds. Adrian Wong follows with 9.4 points, while Mike Nieto can give out 8.34 points and 5.5 boards. They can also count on Anton Asistio, Isaac Go and Chibueze Ikeh.
Tams coach Nash Racela knows that they are in the way of a dream clash between Ateneo and La Salle, which last took place in 2008.
But he is not inclined to let that showdown happen this season.
“I think we are deserving to be there. We’ll try our best to deny that dream duel because I have a better dream. I have a different dream. There’s a different matchup in my dreams,” stated Racela.
Games Today
(MOA Arena)
12 noon – UE vs AdU (women semis)
4 p.m. Ateneo vs FEU (senior semis)
