‘X Factors’ in Ateneo’s Title Bid

MANILA, Philippines — Veterans Eric Salamat and Ryan Buenafe could share the role as "X factors" in Ateneo's bid to win a rare three-peat when it plays Far Eastern University in the UAAP finals starting this Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

FEU coach Glenn Capacio believes that Salamat and Buenafe are the main weapons that his team must stop or limit in order to dethrone the back-to-back defending champions.

"Para sa akin sila ang barometer ng Ateneo," said Capacio. "If we stop Salamat and Buenafe, siguro 75 percent successful ka na."

Both players are a bit on-and-off during the season but the two have been productive in times when Ateneo needed it most.

The lefty Salamat, who led the team in scoring with 11.3 points per game, has been regarded as one of the best finishers in the league, his points coming on many occasions during breaks off steals. He is averaging 1.9 steals per game.

He can also knock down the outside shot. At one point, he drilled 23 points, including a crucial three-point, in an 80-73 win over University of the East in the first round.

Buenafe is deadly from the perimeter but his defense is not consistent. But overall, he’s a reliable player and at 6-foot-3, a good rebounder.

The former NCAA juniors Most Valuable Player for San Sebastian had 14 points and 12 boards in a game against Adamson in the second round and made 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and two blocks in a lopsided win over National University that earned him praise from Black.

“That’s why (Buenafe’s) minutes are going up. The fact that’s he playing more minutes means that he’s playing better individual defense," Black said after the contest.

Buenafe, playing in his third season in the league, averaged 7.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists in 22.1 minutes per game in the eliminations.

Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin