Monday, September 01, 2008 Baclao helps Ateneo to twice-to-beat edge
FORMER West Negros University Mustang Severino Baclao hauled down a pivotal 12 rebounds on top of his four points to help Ateneo de Manila University nail its 12th win and thus gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the ongoing 2008 UAAP Final Four following an 83-58 demolition of hapless National University last Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila.
"People say it was a clinical win for us versus NU but we're not getting it into our heads as we prepare for the semis, especially because we'll be playing against La Salle on Sept. 6 to end our elimination round campaign," the soft-spoken Inter-disciplinary Studies major told Sun.Star Bacolod Sunday.
"We don't want to be complacent in playing against La Salle although that game will have no bearing on us anymore, nevertheless we'll be playing with a lot of intensity and pride," Baclao said, referring to their next scheduled game versus arch rivals DLSU Green Archers.
Rabah Al Hussaini topscored with 20 points while Chris Tiu added 16 points and Eric Salamat and Jai Reyes added 12 and 11, respectively, for the win.
Ateneo will play against the number 4 seed, either last year's runner-up University of the East Red Warriors or University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers, with the Blue Eagles needing just one win against their rival. (HCV)
