Al-Hussaini’s game draws collective raves

By Waylon Galvez - Manila Bulletin - September 23, 2008

The performance of Ateneo center Rabeh Al-Hussaini in Game 1 of the UAAP Finals against arch nemesis and defending champion De La Salle University has brought comparisons to the former great centers of college basketball.

The 6-foot-7 Al-Hussaini is now being mentioned in the same breath with UP stalwart Benjie Paras, ex-University of the East player Jerry Codiñera, UST’s Dennis Espino and Far Eastern University’s Vic Pablo.

It’s hard not to compare Al-Hussaini with these former great college players due to his MVP-type numbers in the series opener where the Blue Eagles scored a resounding 69-61 win Sunday night at the packed Araneta Coliseum.

Al-Hussaini fired 31 points on 14-of-26 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line. He also pulled down nine rebounds.

"His performance speaks for itself," Ateneo coach Norman Black said when asked on the comparisons of his prized center Al-Hussaini, who played high school ball with the Philippine Christian University (PCU) Baby Dolphins in the NCAA.

"I’m happy that he stepped up, he got a lot more touches because of the foul troubles on Chris (Tiu) and Eric (Salamat), our two primary shooters. It also helped that he didn’t get the double team and the defense just sagged on him. But La Salle will make its adjustment."

Al-Hussaini’s scoring production was two points shy from his career-high 33 markers he had against the FEU Tamaraws in a 66-72 setback where he grabbed 20 rebounds.

A strong bet for this season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, Al-Hussaini, 20, averaged 18 points and 9.6 rebounds during the two-round elimination phase.

"He improved his attitude particularly in practice. He’s a more disciplined player now compared to last season," Black said.

La Salle mentor Franz Pumaren conceded that Al-Hussaini had "a hell of a game" as he terrorized the shaded lane with his putback shots, jumpers and strong moves to the basket.

"He scored a lot," Pumaren said. "It’s one of those games that he really made his shots from almost every spot."

"Definitely, we’ll do something on him to limit his touches, his scoring. We’ll see on Game 2," Pumaren added.

The Eagles can clinch the UAAP title, their first since winning it six years ago, also against the Green Archers, with another win on Thursday at the Big Dome.

He was only a high school sophomore at PCU when Ateneo downed La Salle in the 2002 Finals.