Rivalry Sunday
By Alder T. Almo
08 August 2009 11:25 PM
MANILA - It will be experience versus energy when defending champion Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles tangle with De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in the 72nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The Blue Eagles-Green Archers rivalry is the most colorful and storied in the country’s collegiate basketbal history.
But before the much-awaited game, a high-noon shootout will take place between Far Eastern University (FEU) and University of the East (UE) at 12 noon.
Some hype have been thrown in the much-anticipated Ateneo-La Salle showdown, from an unprecedented separate ticketing and scheduling to calls to wearing yellow colors for the late President Cory Aquino, instead of the school’s blue and green.
Both teams have built momentum going into this match.
La Salle has won four straight after opening the season at 0-2, their worst since going 0-3 in its inaugural season in the league in 1986.
On the other hand, Ateneo has bounced back from a humbling 58-68 loss to University of the Philippines with a two-game winning run and the league-leading 5-1 record.
“We’re playing the no. 1 team and it will be a good experience for my (young) team,” said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren.
Ateneo mentor Norman Black hopes his team’s experience will come to fore on Sunday.
“Obviously, they’re young but they got good rookies. We have to match their energy. We just have to be mentally and physically prepared for them,” said Black.
La Salle has lost Jayvee Casio and Rico Maierhofer, but got promising rookies in big man Arvie Bringas and swingman Joseph Marata.
However, the odds are stacked against the Archers, who have yet to solve the Ateneo puzzle since winning, 65-60, in the stepladder Final Four in September 30, 2007 en route to their last championship.
Ateneo’s solid rotation and defense has propelled them to the top.
With a nucleus of Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao, Jai Reyes, Eric Salamat and Ryan Buenafe and the vastly-improved tandem of Emman Monfort and Nico Salva, Ateneo is limiting their opponents to a league-leading 59.8 points, tied with FEU.
Studio 23 will air the first game on a slightly delayed basis at 2 p.m.
while the main game will be aired starting at 4:45 p.m with the
pre-game show.
For more Sports, visit www.abs-cbnNEWS.com/sports
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Jessica Mendoza with Oping Sumalinog & Noy Baclao after Ateneo won the PCCL title
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Ateneo coach Norman Black answers questions from a pack of reporters after Game 2 win in PCCL Finals
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Eagles & Tams got entangled in a close match in Game 1
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Noy Baclao teaches the ropes on up-and-coming Justin Chua during ADMU-SBC PCCL Final Four game
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FEU's Paul Sanga exchanges words with SSC's Pamboy Raymundo in the heated PCCL Final Four battle.
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catch Nico Salva's breakout game in PCCL
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