Eagles eye solo lead vs mighty Tams

Games today (MOA Arena) 2 p.m. – UST vs UP 4 p.m. – AdMU vs FEU

For the first time in UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball, defending champion Ateneo is in position to grab the solo lead in the team standings, a spot everyone expected the Blue Eagles to occupy even before the start of hostilities.

Lurking in the shadows of their opening-game conqueror Adamson in the first four weeks of hostilities, the streaking Eagles (5-1) seek the summit all for themselves today in an expected dogfight with Far Eastern (4-2), the very team responsible for staining the Falcons’ 5-0 slate and bringing about the two-way logjam at No. 1.

“We know the potential of FEU and their capability so we have to be prepared for them and make sure to come up with a good game plan,” said AdMU assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga ahead of today’s 4 p.m. duel at the MOA Arena.

The Tams showed such potential and capability in toppling the erstwhile unbetean Falcons in overtime Sunday, 88-85, a result that put them a whisker away from joint leaders AdU and AdMU.

“We have to give our best effort and sustain it for 40 minutes,” said Eric Gonzales, the chief lieutenant of FEU mentor Olsen Racela.

After yielding its maiden outing to Adamson, 70-74, Ateneo has taken flight and racked up five straight Ws, all of them by blowouts. Their lowest margin thus far was a 71-55 dispatching of rival La Salle last Saturday.