FEU aims for No. 2 spot

By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - September 4, 2008

Far Eastern University will have everything to gain with a victory over University of the East today in the penultimate day of eliminations in the UAAP basketball tournament at the PhilSports Arena.

The Tamaraws, in the Final Four for the first time since 2005, are eyeing at least a playoff for the second twice-to-beat incentive in their 4 p.m. date with the Warriors.

In contrast, the Warriors, who completed the Final 4 cast with an 89-87 win over the University of Santo Tomas last Sunday, will only be gunning for an improvement of their record but will not alter their schedule of battling Ateneo in the semifinals.

Ateneo, with its 12-1 record has clinched the No. 1 spot, which is mandated to meet the No. 4 team in the Final 4.

A loss by the Tamaraws will still give them the chance of forging a playoff for the No. 2 position and the second twice-to-beat incentive if the Eagles beat the Archers on Saturday in the last regular playing day of the league.

Both the Tamaraws and Archers have similar 10-3 records.

Clashing in the first game at 2 p.m. are Adamson and National University.

Despite their better record, FEU head coach Glenn Capacio is worried about their recent performances in which they barely escaped past lowly National University and University of the Philippines.

"Kapag alam nila (Tamaraws) na wala nang chance yung kalaban nila sa Final Four parang may tendency silang mag-relax," said Capacio.

However, Capacio’s objective for the game against the Red Warriors, whom they beat in the first round, 71-69, is not only to see it as a chance to claim second spot but also as a way of proving their legitimacy as a title contender.

"Nasa aming kamay kung anu yung kapalaran namin, hindi kami umaasa na matalo yung kabilang team so kailangan magtrabaho kami, kung gusto naming maka-finals kailangan manalo kami sa UE."

The Tamaraws will be led by sophomore point guard Mark Barroca, Benedict Fernandez and big men Aldrech Ramos and Reil Cervantes.

Mac Baracael, who scored nine points in his second game after sustaining a near-fatal shooting accident two months ago, and reigning Rookie of the Year JR Cawaling are also expected to contribute for the Tamaraws.

The Red Warriors are coming off a pulsating 89-87 win over University of Santo Tomas, a victory that earned them the last spot in the Final Four. In that game, UE nearly blew a commanding 24-point margin after UST staged a big comeback.

But head coach Dindo Pumaren and his wards hope to finish the second round on a high note before meeting the Blue Eagles in the semis.

"FEU is right there struggling. Dati nakikita ko na sharp sila but I think parang iba na laro nila so we feel na kaya namin sila," Pumaren said.

In their win over the Tigers, UE got strong efforts from veteran Marcy Arellano, big man Pari Llagas and Paul Lee. The three are expected to step up for the Recto-based cagers along with rookie Paul Zamar, Hans Thiele, and Elmer Espiritu.