MANILA, Philippines - Pipilitin ng lahat ng koponan na pigilin ang Blue Eagles na makopo ang pang limang sunod na korona nito sa 75th UAAP men’s basketball tournament na magbubukas sa Sabado sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
“We’re trying to accomplish something that hasn’t been done in recent years by trying to win our fifth straight championship,” sabi ni Ateneo De Manila University head coach Norman Black kahapon.
Sa likod nina 2011 UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player Nico Salva at rookies Kiefer Ravena at seven-foot center Greg Slaughter, itinayo ng Blue Eagles ang 13-0 record bago sila ginitla ng Adamson Falcons sa huling laro nila sa elimination round.
Sa pagpasok sa kanilang pang 13 sunod na Final Four, tinalo ng Ateneo ang University of Sto. Tomas bago winalis ang kanilang best-of-three championship series ng Far Eastern University.
Bagamat paboritong makapasok sa 2012 UAAP Finals, sinabi naman ni Black na hindi ito madaling gawin.
“We know it’s gonna be difficult because we lost some perimeter players,” wika ni Black.
Ang Bulldogs ni mentor Eric Altamirano ang sinasabing magbibigay ng mabigat na laban ngayong UAAP season matapos magkampeon sa pre-season tournament.
“I think each team has a chance of winning it (UAAP title). Kami, ang modest goal namin is to be in the Final Four first,” wika ni Altamirano, dating coach ng Mobiline (Talk ‘N Text) at Purefoods sa PBA.
Sa 74th season, nabigong makapasok sa Final Four ang NU, muling babanderahan ni 2011 UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., mula sa kanilang 6-8 baraha.
Inaasahan ring gagawa ng ingay ang Tamaraws at Growling Tigers.