Tamaraws and Bulldogs look to notch third win
UNIVERSITY Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 hosts Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws and National University (NU) Bulldogs, both sporting 2-2 records and joint fourth in the standings, look to win their third game and break their tie when they go head-to-head in midweek league action today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Scheduled for 2 p. m., the Tamaraws and Bulldogs are out to give their respective campaigns further push and establish some consistency after having it up and down early in the season.
In the second game at 4 p.m., meanwhile, the league-leading Ateneo Blue Eagles (4-0) go for their fifth straight win, taking on the stillwinless University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers (0-4).
FEU, now coached by former Philippine Basketball Association star Olsen Racela, got back to the .500 mark after their 7865 win over UST last Saturday.
The Tamaraws used a strong second-half effort to turn things around and beat the Tigers, who looked solid early on in the contest.
Ron Dennison and Arvin Tolentino led FEU with 15 points each with the latter adding 10 rebounds.
Jasper Parker and Ken Tuffin, meanwhile, added eight markers each to the Tamaraws’ cause.
“This season there is definitely no sure win and you really have to show up and fight out there. I’m happy that the players did that today and they grinded it out to win,” said Mr. Racela following their second victory.
OPPOSITE DIRECTION
NU, for its part, is coming from the opposite direction of FEU after losing in their last game, 83-76, to the Adamson Soaring Falcons, the other team with a 2-2 card.
Bulldogs coach Jamike Jarin rued the lost opportunity they had and how, by and large, they were outplayed by the Falcons in said game and is now aiming for his team to bounce back.
Jayjay Alejandro is pacing the team with 16.8 points to go along with seven rebounds and 6.25 assists while foreign player Issa Gaye of Ghana has been good for 13.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
Rookie Jordan Bartlett has been chipping in 11 points per game for the Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, the UAAP Press Corps gave its nod to Paul Desiderio of the 3-1 University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons as player of the week from Sept. 18 to 24.
He punctuated his solid performance with a 30-point effort in leading his team to victory over the defending champions De La Salle Green Archers, 9887, last Saturday.
In winning the weekly plum, Desiderio beat out teammate Jun Manzo, Ben Mbala of La Salle, Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo, and Papi Sarr of Adamson. —