Ateneo, FEU battle for no. 1 spot

Under its feet, Ateneo de Manila University’s victims – and some lucky vanquishers – lined up to infamy.

All except for one which refuses to stay in line – and below the defending champion Eagles.

But today, Ateneo gets the chance to finally drag current leader Far Eastern University (FEU) in the punisher’s lane as the Eagles battle the Tamaraws for the no. 1 spot heading into the Final Four pairings of the 73rd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The second-running Eagles (10-3) seek to dislodge the Tamaraws (11-2) from the top by winning their 4 p.m. rematch by at least three points. Both teams though are already secured of twice-to-beat incentives regardless of the game’s outcome.

Early in the day, winless University of the Philippines (UP) tries to salvage a measure of respect with a breakthrough victory over late-blooming University of the East at 2 p.m.

A win by the Eagles, hinged on a three-point margin or more, will earn Ateneo the top spot and thus put them in another blockbuster showdown with arch rival De La Salle University (8-6), which occupies the no. 4 spot.

Save for bragging rights, finishing 1 or 2 won’t be much of an issue for the Tamaraws who will have to put up with either second-round tormentors La Salle or no.3 Adamson University (9-5) in the semis. The Falcons and the Archers were the two teams that tarnished the Tamaraws’ erstwhile unbeaten record.

The Tamaraws are coming off a 70-48 demolition of UP while the Eagles squandered a 19-point lead before pulling away in the clutch to nip University of Santo Tomas, 81-77, on Sunday.

For his 100th game as Ateneo mentor, coach Norman Black expects veterans Erik Salamat, Krik Long, Ryan Buenafe, Nico Salva, and Emman Monfort to lead the three-peat seeking Eagles in exorcising the ghost of their 69-72 debut loss against FEU back on July 11.

FEU coach Glenn Capacio for his part sees complacency as the Tamaraws’ greatest opponent on the floor and is keen on drawing out the best from his seasoned charges led by top MVP contender RR Garcia, Aldrech Ramos, Riel Cervantes, and JR Cawaling, plus rookie Terrence Romeo.

Anthony Divinagracia, UAAP Sports