Eagles eye solo lead vs Warriors

ATENEO de Manila University shoots for the solo lead anew when it takes on struggling University of the East (UE) in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines ( UAAP) men’s basketball tournament today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles (7-1) aim to break away from a tie at the top with Adamson University as they battle the skidding Red Warriors (1-8) in the 2 p.m. opener.

Powered by Angelo Kouame’s rare 33-point, 27-rebound statline, Ateneo cruised to second straight win with an 82-62 thrashing of Far Eastern University (FEU) despite playing sans main man Thirdy Ravena and Nieto twins Matt and Mike last Saturday.

Ravena was slapped with a onegame suspension following a closed-

the Phiilippines (UP) gunner Paul Desiderio while the Nietos were sidelined by dengue.

The Eagles are touted to notch a repeat of their 89-62 rout of the Warriors Sandy Arespacochaga wants his wards to take it one win at a time.

“It gives us good separation but still a long way to go and as you’ve seen throughout the league, any other team can win against any other team on any given night,” said Arespacochaga.

“We just have to make sure that we keep our eyes focused on the next game,” he added.

Ateneo is expected to rely on 6-foot-10 Ivorian center Kouame and the returning Ravena while looking to draw big games from backup guards Tyler Tio and Adrien Wong as the Nietos are still doubtful to suit up.

On the other hand, UE is out to snap a four-game slump and avoid sinking nearer to elimination.

Rookie mentor Joe Silva, a former Ateneo assistant, will pin his hopes on

fellow veterans Philip Manalang, Jason Varilla and Wil Bartolome.

In the 4 p.m. main game, FEU (54) guns for a solo third against the chasing UP (4-5).

The Tamaraws were left stuck on a tie at No. 3 with De La Salle University following their blowout loss to the Eagles.

Bouncing back will be tough for Olsen Racela’s Morayta-based cagers, however, as the Fighting Maroons are coming off a morale-boosting 94-81 win against UE that ended their two-game slide.

But UP seasoned coach Bo Perasol is bracing his men for the tough games ahead.

Perasol will lean on Nigerian center Bright Akhuetie, sophomore sensation Juan Gomez De Liaño, his returning brother Javi and veteran wingman Desiderio, while Racela will bank on Hubert Cani, Wendell Comboy and Richard Escoto in the absence of main gunner Arvin Tolentino, who is still suspended due to a disqualifying foul.

The Tams’ Nigerian big man Prince Orizu, who suffered a leg injury in their previous game, is not expected to play.