SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – It’s Ateneo versus La Salle, round 1.
A new saga in the storied rivalry of the two schools unfolds as the Blue Eagles clash with the Green Archers in first-round action of the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, July 7.
Ateneo will have to play their archrivals sans star guard Kiefer Ravena, who is recuperating from a sprained right ankle that forced him to sit out the Eagles’ 75-79 loss to the FEU Tamaraws. He only played 8 minutes in Ateneo’s 54-64 season-opening setback in the hands of National University Bulldogs.
Facing its worst start since 2003 and losing back-to-back for the first time in 6 years, the Katipunan-based dribblers will bank on Ryan Buenafe, freshman Chris Newsome, Juami Tiongson, Nico Elorde, and Poy Eram to nail its win of the season and revive its bid to retain the title.
“I know that [the game] is important for the Ateneo community,” said Blue Eagles head coach Bo Perasol, who took over the coaching reins from the multi-titled Norman Black. “We need that win to get our system back again.”
The Archers, under rookie coach Juno Sauler, will be led by reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year Jeron Teng, big man Norbert Torres, Almond Vosotros, Arnold Van Opstal, and LA Revilla to get its second win of the season after defeating UP, 96-84, in their last outing.
“I’m not looking at wins and losses,” quipped Sauler.
FEU takes on UP
In the curtain raiser, league-leader FEU Tamaraws will lock horns with the UP Fighting Maroons at 1 pm before the first game of Ateneo-La Salle this year that is expected to draw a jampacked crowd.
The Tamaraws, who dealt Ateneo a stunning 79-75 beating, tote a 2-0 record to start the season and will rely on Terrence Romeo, former league MVP RR Garcia, and reserve guard Mike Tolomia, athletic forward Anthony Hargrove, Roger Pogoy, and Carl Bryan Cruz.
UP, on the other hand, has lost point guard Mikee Reyes after the team’s opening game and will go for its maiden win with hopes pinned on former Archer Sam Marata, center Raul Soyud, Chris Ball, and Henry Asilum. – Rappler.com
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