DLSU, FEU resume twice-to-beat race

By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - August 28, 2008

Defending champion La Salle and Far Eastern University resume their chase for the other twice-to-beat privilege in the Final Four when they go up against separate rivals today in the UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws and Green Archers, both toting similar 8-3 records, will not only try to book a spot in the Final Four but also remain in second place behind Ateneo in the team standings.

The Archers, who will play without head coach Franz Pumaren, collide with the University of Santo Tomas Tigers at 4 p.m. while the Tamaraws tangle with the National University Bulldogs at 2 p.m.

Pumaren left Monday for Tehran, Iran to handle the RP Youth team that will take part in the Asian Youth Championship. He will miss two of the last three games of La Salle.

The Tamaraws are on a rampage following their vengeful 83-75 win over the Archers last Sunday.

That will also be their main goal today as they try to avenge their 69-61 loss to the Bulldogs on Aug. 3. "Kailangan namin bumawi kasi first round talo kami," said Capacio. "Kasi period of adjustment nung time na yun wala kaming Robert (Kave), wala kaming Mac Baracael so ngayon maganda naka-adjust na kami without them."

Although they have managed to tie DLSU for second spot in the standings, Capacio wants to remain consistent before the end of the season.

"Siyempre natutuwa kami na number two kami pero hindi pa rin dapat kami maging kumpiyansa dapat trabaho pa din," he said.

FEU hopes to have another strong effort from Mark Barroca, who bedazzled La Salle, especially JV Casio, to finish with 26 points.

Capacio has plenty of offensive options with the consistent showing of Benedict Fernandez, backup guard Jens Knuttel and the frontline tandem of Reil Cervantes and Aldrech Ramos.

For the Bulldogs, they will again rely on veterans Edwin Asoro, Jonathan Jahnke, and Raymund Aguilar.

Still, Pumaren is confident that his assistants, led by Jack Santiago, and his players, are ready to face th challenge of the Tigers.

"I think my players are in good hands," Pumaren said before he left for Iran last Monday. "They know very well what to expect and I think my boys are really prepared, I believe that my veterans will lead this team."

Needing to bounce back from their tough loss to the Tamaraws, are Casio and Rico Maierhofer.

The Tigers are in a must-win situation since they trail the University of the East Warriors by 1 ½ games. And coach Pido Jarencio is fully aware of their situation.

"Basta ang crucial sa amin ay yung every quarter ng game against La Salle, hindi yung La Salle lang, one game at a time kami," said Jarencio.

Jarencio sees no difference in the absence of Pumaren.

"Walang advantage kasi player naman maglalaro eh," he said. "Siyempre yung system nandoon na, yung will na lang ng players baka ganun pa din, alam mo naman si coach Franz hindi naman nagpabaya doon sa team niya kaya siguro walang bago."

Jarencio is looking for a big game from reigning Most Valuable Player Jervy Cruz, Dylan Ababou and Francis Allera.