ADAMSON tries to erase its doormat tag in the past while Far Eastern University aims to enjoy the top view at 73rd University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball Saturday.
After scoring a pair of overtime victories last weekend, the Falcons and the Tamaraws hope to duplicate their emphatic feats by taking on separate foes at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Adamson has to contend with the determined soul of the University of the East Red Warriors, who yielded to FEU in overtime, 83-77, and continue languishing in seventh place with a 2-7 (win-loss) slate.
UE could have listed their third win last Sunday if not for the missed drive of fifth year Raffy Reyes with six ticks in regulation (72-all), who cried to his knees after the nail biting setback.
In that game, sophomore Kenneth Acibar bannered the Red Warriors with 18 points and 20 rebounds, the most boards made since former University of Santo Tomas standout Jervy Cruz.
The 2007 UAAP MVP converted 23 rebounds in a losing effort to UE last August 31, 2008.
Adamson coach Leo Austria, however, still remained undaunted as he trained his sights in clinching one of the top two slots, which carries a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.
“The boys don’t usually give up especially during the endgame, which is good because this is something that we really need in time for the playoffs,” he said.
The San Marcelino-based cagers, who tote an impressive 7-2 card alongside Ateneo de Manila, will meet their Recto counterparts in the 2 p.m. slot.
Missed service
FEU, for its part, will miss the services of bigman Reil Cervantes, who was slapped with a one-game suspension after drawing his second infraction against UE top player Paul Lee.
The suspension is a double-whammy for the 24-year-old Bicolano standout after the same rule bars him to be included in the highly-contested Most Valuable Player race.
The effect of Cervantes’ suspension on FEU’s ball rotation remains to be seen as sixth year mentor Glenn Capacio turns to Zamboanga hotshot Ryan Roose Garcia, Aldrech Ramos and his rookie arsenal led by Terrence Romeo to put the cuffs on UST.
“We have to come out strong. I think the Final Four is within reach for us but we need to get win number 12 to assure us with a twice-to-beat bonus,” said Capacio.
The Growling Tigers currently share the fifth and sixth spots (3-6) with National University, which absorbed a sound beating from Ateneo last Thursday, 69-49. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)