FEU Seen As Ateneo's Top Rival

Ateneo will be eyeing a three-peat but Far Eastern University is determined to spoil it as the Tamaraws hope to put their stunning Final Four defeat behind when the 73rd UAAP basketball tournament fires off this Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Despite the graduation of their Big 3 – Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao, and Jai Reyes – the Eagles are still considered as the team to beat along with the Tamaraws who lost to University of the East in the semis last year.

That’s at least the consensus of the six other teams although Ateneo coach Norman Black and FEU mentor Glenn Capacio tried hard to downplay their team chances.

While they remain strong even without their marquee players, Black, however, emphasized the strength of the Tamaraws.

"I think FEU will be tough to beat but we have to improve as the league goes on," said Black, whose Ateneo squad is seeking to become the first UAAP team in five years to win three consecutive years.

"Sabi nila maswerte daw ang dilaw ngayon, so pipilitin namin na hindi mag-three peat ang Ateneo this year," said Capacio the press launching held inside a Cubao mall in Quezon City.

Both squads actually will have a chance to see first hand how good they are when they will clash on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Without his three starters, Black will have to rely much on veterans Eric Salamat, Nico Salva and Ryan Buenafe along with new recruits burly big man Jason Escueta, 6-foot-6 JP Erram and former San Sebastian Staglets center Jeric Estrada to pick up the slack.

"Our problem now is to figure out a way to make up for the absence of Jai, Rabeh and Nonoy. But it's time to move on so we have to trust the veterans and our new players," said Black. "We still have a good team but how good are we? That remains to be seen."

Capacio, whose contract is set to expire after the season, hopes to steer the school to their first championship since 2005 with an almost intact line-up led by Smart Gilas standouts Aldrech Ramos and JR Cawaling.

He will also entrust the services of vastly-improving guard RR Garcia, forward Reil Cervantes and Terrence Romeo, one of the team's three rookies.

"On paper, kami daw malakas pero were not that strong we're just playing good basketball so ang target namin is to enter the Final Four muna so we'll try our best," he said.

Black, Capacio and other coaches in attendance see a balanced competition from the other teams such as UE, Adamson, La Salle, National University, University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas as almost all teams have beefed up their respective lineups with blue-chip recruits.

"I think all games are tough, it's going to be competitive as all teams have somehow improved so it's make our job a lot difficult," said Black.

League commissioner Ato Badolato said that they will implement strict rules on officiating such as grading officials from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and even suspending them if such questionable calls occur.

"I will not hesitate to suspend officials," said Badolato. "We will grade our referees each game and we will let the players decide the game."

Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin