Coaches pick Ateneo

Four of the five UAAP coaches interviewed by The STAR picked the Ateneo Blue Eagles to win this year’s UAAP championship. Two are sure the Loyola-based cagers are going to win it – via sweep or in three. Two of them said Ateneo will take it but didn’t discount the possibility of a La Salle reversal while the other felt it’s going to be a toss-up.

Glen Capacio, Far Eastern U

“Man for man, Ateneo has the advantage, but La Salle has the championship experience. So it boils down on who wants it more,” Capacio said.

Capacio, a former many-time PBA Defensive Player of the Year, said the defending titlists Archers must win the opener for them to complete a back-to-back championship.

“If Ateneo wins Game 1, it will be over in two. But if La Salle wins Game 1, they’ll make it in three,” Capacio said.

Dindo Pumaren, University of the East

UE mentor Dindo Pumaren agrees Ateneo is the heavy favorite in the playoff. But he stressed being the favorite doesn’t mean a thing in a series where anything can happen.

Pumaren spoke from experience.

Pumaren and the Warriors rode on a historic 14-game sweep of the elimination round last year and booked an outright finals berth where they were the heavy favorites to complete the romp.

UE went on to lose to La Salle in the finals – via sweep.

“Ateneo is the top seed but La Salle usually plays better during the finals,” said Pumaren. “It’s going to be a tough call but I think it will go the distance.”

Leo Austria, Adamson

Leo Austria, the Adamson coach, has given Ateneo a 60 percent chance to win.He said the Eagles have the manpower and the defense to go all the way to the championship, citing Ateneo’s two victories over La Salle in the elims.

“Based on their games, Ateneo controlled the tempo because of their defense, the best in the league I believe,” said Austria, who steered the Falcons to their first and only Final Four appearance two years ago only to lose to the Eagles.

For La Salle to win, it needs to dictate the tempo and find other sources aside from JV Casio.

“Ateneo likes to go slow break. Now if La Salle could step up the pace, they have a chance. They also need to get contribution from other players not just Casio,” said Austria.

Manny Dandan, National University

National U coach Manny Dandan said Ateneo has everything in its arsenal to beat La Salle.

“It’s Ateneo because man for man, they have the advantage,” said Dandan, pointing out to Chris Tiu, a clutch player, and Rabeh Al-Hussaini, a go-to guy.

He said these should negate the experience of La Salle in a series of this magnitude.

“La Salle may have the experience but I think Ateneo’s firepower will spell the difference,” Dandan said.

Aboy Castro, University of the Phils.

Aboy Castro of University of the Phils. said La Salle has an equal chance for the crown as Ateneo.

In fact, he predicted the series would go the full route with deciding game evenly up for grabs.

“They will split the two games because of Ateneo’s athleticism, height and defense and La Salle’s championship experience and ability to come back,” said Castro, who is currently in the US with the Talk n Text Pals.

“Game Three will be a toss up. It will be very hard to call,” he said.

Castro, however, is sure that it will be a great, classic series.

“It will be a great series for the league and the fans,” said Castro.