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UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST hopes to extend its winning
run when it faces Far Eastern University in the 70th University
Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball
tournament Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Red Warriors, unbeaten after
five games, take on the Tamaraws at 2 p.m.
Adamson University and University
of the Philippines, both winless after five outings, meet in the
other game at 4 p.m.
“Dalawang games pa kaya medyo
malabo pa kung kaya namin ma-sweep ’yung first round. Pero sa
ipinapakitang laro ng mga bata, hindi imposible dahil sa mataas ang
confidence nila. But I always remind them not to relax. Gusto namin,
one game at a time,” said coach Dindo Pumaren, on his third year
with the Red Warriors.
Pumaren will rely on veterans
Marcy Arellano, Paul Lee, Elmer Espiritu, James Martinez and Mark
Borboran to stop the giant killing of the rookie-laden Tamaraws.
“Facing FEU is a big task for
us, maganda ang panalo nila last game,” added Pumaren.
The Tamaraws will try to keep
their momentum after winning two straight games, the last over
Ateneo de Manila, 77-64, on Sunday. That victory gave FEU solo
fourth place with three wins and two losses.
Spearheading the Tamaraws are
Benedict Fernandez, JR Cawaling and Marnel Baracael.
“UE has the advantage when it
comes to experience and maturity. But we can match their speed
because we’ve seen their game during preseason tournaments. Alam
namin ang galaw nila,” said FEU mentor Glenn Capacio.
Meanwhile, the office of the UAAP
Commissioner is in the process of wrapping up its findings in the La
Salle vs. Ateneo game, which the Green Archers put under protest
last weekend. The Blue Eagles humbled the La Salle, 80-77, in
overtime.
Commissioner Ed Cordero was
scheduled to submit his findings to the league’s technical
committee late Wednesday.
“We apologize for this matter
taking quite a long time because we want to get all the information
needed,” Cordero said. “We want to come up with the fairest
decision possible. One of which both sides will find acceptable.”
-- Emil Noguera
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