Tams seek joint lead with Eagles, face Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U shoots for a share of the lead with defending champion Ateneo as it clashes with National U today in the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament at the Big Dome.

The Tams, who currently carries a 7-1 (win-loss) slate behind the Eagles’ 8-1 record, are heavily favored to repeat over the Bulldogs, whom they thrashed, 82-57, in the first round last July 25, when the two collide at 4 p.m.

Although NU is at the lower half of the standings with a 2-6 card, FEU coach Glenn Capacio cautioned his players not to take the former lightly.

“I always tell my players to respect our opponents while encouraging them to play hard and stay focused,” said Capacio, who hopes to bring the title back to FEU after a three-year title drought.

Meanwhile, Jewel Ponferrada and Jerome Tungcul were spared a one-game suspension for joining a bench-clearing incident in a 76-78 setback to State U Saturday following an appeal of NU athletic director and league board representative Junel Baculi recently.

“I sent an appeal to commissioner Joe Lipa, they (Ponferrad and Tungcul) will play,” Baculi told The STAR.

In the other game, Santo Tomas (4-4) seeks to join University of the East (5-4) at No. 3 as it tackles State U (2-6) at 2 p.m.

The Tams are expected to lean on the efforts of their Smart Gilas Pilipinas standouts Mark Barroca, Aldrech Ramos and JR Cawaling as well as the fast-improving Cameroonian rookie Pipo Noundou.

Barroca, the co-captain of the developmental team handled by Serbian Rajko Toroman, emerged as the biggest performer recently after he churned out 23 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 75-67 win over Santo Tomas Sunday.