What to expect: Ateneo-La Salle face-off

MANILA, Philippines – When the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles last faced the La Salle Green Archers in UAAP Season 74 last year, many believed it was Ateneo’s time to lose.

But it wasn’t even close.

Coach Norman Black and his boys went home with an easy 79-62 win, their third straight thumping of La Salle since 2010.

They also went on to win the crown that season, dropping only one game in the eliminations. They were clearly the favorites last year and they proved exactly why.

This year, the Blue Eagles are still the favorite and the Archers are still looking for an upset.

On Saturday, July 28, in the first Ateneo-La Salle rivalry fixture of the 75th UAAP Season, these two proud squads will be entering the Mall of Asia Arena raring to test each other’s mettle after an eventful summer.

And why not? The Blue Eagles will aim to annex their 12-3 head-to-head dominance over their archrivals since 2007, while the rejuvenated De La Salle University Green Archers are in it for a sweet and long-due revenge.

Teng to the rescue

The Green Archers last won against Ateneo in the UAAP two years ago.

Head-to-head since their first face off in 1924, La Salle trails their Katipunan Avenue-based rivals, 28-39.

This year’s FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup however, gave La Salle a taste of victory.

After losing to the Blue Eagles twice in the 74th edition of the UAAP, the Green Archers bounced back last summer as they defeated Ateneo in overtime.

The win gave La Salle a spot in the quarterfinals but notably missing in that game was Ateneo’s 7-foot superstar Gleg Slaughter, who was out due to an ankle injury.

Jeron Teng, who once poured in 104 points for Xavier School in a single game in the Tiong Lian Basketball Tournament, was instrumental to De La Salle’s good run in the summer league. He has been one of the leaders for his team on both ends of the floor, proving a good compliment to his teammates.

Although a rookie in the UAAP, the 6-foot-1 slasher has already competed in international competitions in the past such as the 2010 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championships and the 2010 Youth Olympic Games Tournament, so first-time jitters in a big game like Ateneo-La Salle won’t likely be an issue.

‘Balanced scoring’

Even with an explosive scorer in his prized rookie, Teng, De La Salle’s new Head Coach Gee Abanilla showed a free-wheeling rotation in his team’s offense in the FilOil Flying V Cup.

It gave his veterans a chance to utilize their strengths. Norbert Torres has improved a lot after Season 74, and it showed last summer.

The Green Archers also have guards who can either sink a three-pointer or take it strong to the hoop in LA Revilla and Jarelan Tampus.

Without Kirk Long and Emman Monfort for Ateneo this year, La Salle could use the backcourt to their advantage when they face each other on Saturday.

Still a contender

Ateneo however is still one of the favorites to bring home this year’s trophy.

La Salle and NU may have stolen the limelight in the preseason but Ateneo has its eyes on another prize: the UAAP.

Just last week, the Blue Eagles dispatched the Bulldogs via an 89-65 blowout win, and tomorrow, they are looking to cross out La Salle’s name on their list.

Ateneo’s Big 3 in Kiefer Ravena, Nico Salva, and Slaughter will still be the focal point of the Blue Eagles’ offense tomorrow, Saturday.

Salva played well last week, top scoring for the Blue Eagles this season. He has averaged 19 points per game in their last two games, shooting a little more than 50% from the field. Ravena on the other hand has put up good numbers since their loss to University of Santo Tomas.

In their last two games, Ravena averaged 18 markers, 5.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per outing. The question tomorrow will be more on the consistency of Ateneo’s key players.

The Blue Eagles and the Green Archers will both be looking for their third win this season. While it may still be a little too early in the race, tomorrow’s result will be a barometer of how the teams will fare for the rest of the season and a possible preview for this year’s playoffs.

And of course, an Ateneo-La Salle match will always be a highlight of any UAAP season. – Rappler.com