MANILA, Philippines - Archrivals Ateneo and La Salle are a study in contrast in the UAAP Season 74 men’s basketball tourney.
The Blue Eagles are on a roll, winning their first 10 games to land safely into the Final Four whereas the Green Archers are on a three-game slump, still far off the semis with a 4-6 slate.
Looking at their current standings, one could say Ateneo has the decisive edge against La Salle when the Eagles and the Archers renew their storied rivalry at 3 p.m. today at the Big Dome.
But don’t tell this to Ateneo coach Norman Black.
“Whenever you play La Salle, you drive statistics and win-loss records out. Even before I started coaching for Ateneo, I used to watch Ateneo-La Salle and we never really know who’s gonna win the game. Even the lower-ranked team can win because of the crowd, the spirit,” he said.
“No matter what the record, I’m expecting a tough game against La Salle (today),” added Black, taking their 81-72 first-round thrashing of La Salle as a thing of the past.
So much so now that skidding La Salle is determined to regain its winning ways to salvage a Final Four berth.
“I believe in our team, the boys have been working hard to get over this hump,” said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren, who’s still looking for their first victory in the second round.
The most recent conquerors of the Archers, Santo Tomas (5-5), gun for its sixth win against University of the East (2-8) in the 11 a.m. first game.
Tickets to today’s double-header are sold separately as per regular practice during Ateneo-La Salle outings.