Lee Pipes-Ateneo upbeat about title chances

Lee Pipes-Ateneo is all upbeat about its forthcoming stint in the season opening second PBL Unity Cup despite going into its first assignment against Sunkist-University of Santo Tomas tomorrow at the Makati Coliseum without one of its mainstays.

The 6-foot-6 Paolo Bugia has undergone surgery performed by sports medicine expert Dr. Raul Canlas recently after tearing a meniscus in a knee and will be out from two to three weeks but Lee Pipes coach Sandy Arespacochaga said he’s confident his team would be a force to reckon with in the series.

"We will definitely miss him (Bugia) for a few weeks but we’re still capable of winning some good games," said Arespacochaga minutes after a tune-up game with fancied Welcoat Paints Wednesday night at the Moro Lorenzo Gym in Ateneo.

Arespacochaga took over the coaching reins of the team from Talk N’ Text coach Joel Banal late last year.

Monchito Mossesgeld, one of the two Lee Pipes managers — the other being Mark Tanglao — said they have a strong chance of duplicating the Eagles’ performance two years ago when Ateneo, then backed by Hapee Toothpaste, beat Blu Detergents, 3-1, for its first ever PBL title.

"All I can say is we’re optimistic of our chances this conference," Mossesgeld told The Star during the dinner party with coaches, players and their friends and families, alumni and officials headed by Lee Pipes chief executive Bernardine Siy. Ateneo athletics director and UAAP president Jun Jun Capistrano was also present in the affair.

Siy, chair and president of the Fil-Pacific Apparel, is relishing her role as the No. 1 supporter of the team despite being new in the game. "Three years ago I wasn’t into basketball or sports but as I get to watch the games, I got emotionally involved," said Siy.

With Bugia out, expect Larry Fonacier, LA Tenorio, JC Intal, Magnum Membrere, Doug Kramer, CJ del Rosario and Macky Escalona to step up against the Nel Parado-mentored Alex-Compton-led Sunkist squad.

BJ Manalo, a member of the Ateneo team that won a UAAP juniors crown some few seasons ago, returns home after playing for La Salle for four years.

Also donning the Lee Pipes jersey are former Eagles Andrew Cruz and Quimpo, Nino Gelig, Marlon Basco and Val Domingo.