True test: Tamaraws battle soaring Blue Eagles
KIRBY Mongcopa and the FEU Tamaraws undergo an acid test when they meet the surging Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Season 89 UAAP basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Photograph by Joey Sanchez Mendoza for DAILY TRIBUNE
Far Eastern University (FEU) targets a fourth straight win and a tighter grip on the solo top spot as it faces a rebound-seeking Ateneo De Manila University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tamaraws are on a hot three-game winning streak and look to add the Blue Eagles to their list of victims in the 5:30 p.m. main game.
After dropping its opening-day assignment, FEU hurdled its next three opponents, its last two coming from last year’s finals protagonists, defending champion De La Salle University and University of the Philippines (UP).
However, head coach Sean Chambers doesn’t want his team to dwell too much on its win romp, knowing there’s still a long way to go this season.
“We’re going to enjoy it. (But) I had a conversation with Coach Tim Cone the other day. He was like, enjoy it but you got to move on right away,” said Chambers after the Tamaraws’ 90-79 domination of the Fighting Maroons last Sunday.
Chambers will be pinning his hopes on Kirby Mongcopa, who dropped 24 points against UP, reigning Most Valuable Player Janrey Pasaol, Jorick Bautista, Mo Konateh and rookie Cabs Cabonilas.
Meanwhile, Ateneo wants a quick bounce back after suffering a 76-83 loss to archrival Green Archers last Wednesday.
The Blue Eagles saw their back-to-back wins halted in the 100th match of the storied rivalry that is now even at 50-50.
Ateneo carries a 3-2 slate in a crowded second spot tied with National University (NU) and La Salle.
Rookie Kieffer Alas is eager to make amends after a quiet five-point outing last game in a hellish 2-of-11 field goal shooting.
“We can’t be too low after a loss. I mean, this was definitely for us, a winnable game. But we just stick to it. So, I guess we’ll just try to rebound in the next game,” Alas said.
Backstopping Alas are Shawn Tuano, Jared Bahay, Travis Roberts, EJ Kapihe and Grayson Rogers.
In the curtain-raiser, NU battles University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 3 p.m.
The Bulldogs are fresh from an 85-66 drubbing of Adamson University last Wednesday in a rebound win.
NU head coach Jeff Napa braces for a tough match against the Growling Tigers, who are eager to get back up from an 85-57 rout at the hands of the Falcons last Saturday.
“Our mindset stays the same: always be ready. Despite facing different teams that require different scouting. What we need is the right mindset, because that’s where it all starts. If they have the right mindset right from our practice, I already know we’re going to win,” he said.
Napa is leaning on PJ Palacielo, Paul Francisco, Mo Diassana, Reinhard Jumamoy and Tebol Garcia to score back-to-back wins.
On the other hand, UST will try to get better at taking care of the ball after committing 20 turnovers in its last game.
Collins Akowe, Amiel Acido and Koji Buenaflor will be leading the charge for the Pido Jarencio-mentored Tigers.