By Jasmine W. Payo
CONTRASTING RESULTS MARKED THE early campaign of last year’s UAAP finalists.
Ateneo kicked off its back-to-back championship bid with a thrilling triumph over the pre-season favorite, but fierce rival La Salle absorbed one of its worst losses in recent years.
Ateneo coach Norman Black said surviving a tough game from top contender Far Eastern U hardly set the tone for an easy road back to the Finals.
“It’s just a first win, that’s all it is,” said Black after the Blue Eagles pulled off a 63-59 escape against the Tamaraws last Sunday. “But this is big for us because we have a lot of respect for them and we know they’re very good.”
For his part, coach Franz Pumaren said the embarrassing loss doesn’t make the Green Archers any less a contender.
“We were kind of tentative and jittery on opening day, but I’m still confident we’ll be okay,” said Pumaren.
The Archers, missing main cogs Rico Maierhofer and JV Casio, took one of their worst beatings in a 65-46 loss to the University of the East Warriors last Saturday.
“It’s a very challenging situation on my part right now,” admitted Pumaren. “We don’t have a single dominant player. The players just have to accept the fact that when they look over their shoulders, there’s no Casio or Maierhofer. But I’ve been in situations like this, I think we can still pull through.”
Black similarly expects improvements from his Blue Eagles even if his core, led by reigning MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini, remains in top form.
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