Ateneo goes for fourth straight UAAP men’s crown today

THE ATENEO Blue Eagles will be gunning for their fourth straight title today as they face off against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals series in the 74th UAAP basketball tournament at what is expected to be a packed Araneta Coliseum.

Originally, Game 2 of the series was set last Tuesday but was postponed because of the stormy weather that was caused by the typhoon Pedring. The Eagles will be ansty to finish the series now especially after their 82-64 win in Game 1, a victory that was made possible by their blistering third period attack which saw them outscore their opponents, 27-16. Ateneo is trying to become the first host school to win the crown since the implementation of the Final Four in 1994.

Nico Salva was FEU’s chief nightmare as he had a perfect shooting game of 8-of-8 from the field and 8-of-8 from the line which was good for 24 points. “The Phenom” Kiefer Ravena also had 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals while former University of the Visayas stalwart, Greg Slaughter, had 12 points and eight rebounds.

FEU’s surprise leader last weekend was super sophomore Terrence Romeo, who scored 23 points.

Rookie big man Russell Escoto was the only other Tamaraw in twin-digits with 12 points as veteran leaders RR Garcia and Aldrech Ramos faded to the background. Garcia, last year’s MVP, was especially woeful, scoring just six points. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio