Eagles vs Tigers: Reliving 2006

MANILA, Philippines – Revenge? Or Repeat?

This year’s UAAP men’s basketball finals between the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). It is the same two teams that battled for the Season 69 title back in 2006.

In this episode of One on One, reporter Natashya Gutierrez sits down with Macky Escalona of the 2006 Ateneo team and Dylan Ababou of the 2006 UST side to get their take on this season’s duel.

After the first game of the best of three series, the Ateneo Blue Eagles leads 1-0 having bested the UST Growling Tigers in an intense game that saw valiant comebacks from both sides. It is the same result as 2006 so far — the Blue Eagles won the first game back then too, until the Tigers went on to triumph in the next two game, winning them the title.

The 2006 championship was UST’s last title while Ateneo has gone on to sweep championships since 2008 — and are shooting for their fifth on Coach Norman Black’s final year. Black faces UST’s head coach Pido Jarencio in the finals for the first time since 2006.

Will UST prove that history repeats itself and stop Ateneo’s quest for a 5-peat? Or will Ateneo make history and take home the championship? Escalona and Ababou weigh-in on the players, their team’s strengths and weaknesses, and their personal predictions. – Rappler.com