Slap on the wrist for 2 Warriors

Two key University of the East players escaped suspension from their unsportsmanlike acts the last time out, thus, the Warriors play with a complete lineup as they resume their bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the 2002 UAAP Final Four versus the Adamson Falcons today at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ronald Tubid and Arnold Booker were lucky to be merely reprimanded by the UAAP board for the ugly antics they did on Mark Cardona in the closing seconds of the UE-La Salle match last Sunday.

With the Archers on the way to wrapping up a 92-85 win, Booker allegedly hit Cardona on the back while Tubid spat on the same La Salle player.

The UAAP board warned Tubid and Booker they will face harsh penalty if they commit another offense in the future.

The mere warning on Tubid and Booker could be a big break for the Warriors with the two players likely to play key roles versus the Falcons in their 4 p.m. tiff.

Their searing run halted by the Archers, the Warriors are aching to regain their winning ways while pressing their bid for a twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinal round.

But if La Salle completes a sweep of its elimination-round assignment, the Archers gain automatic entry into the finals, leaving the next three teams to dispute the other finals berth in a step-ladder format.

Ateneo and University of the Philippines seek to boost their semifinals aspirations as they clash in the 1:30 p.m. curtain-raiser.

The Maroons won their first-round duel but the Eagles set out fancied to win their rematch while riding the crest of back-to-back wins over the National U Bulldogs and the Santo Tomas Tigers.

The Eagles have come out of the rut and bounced back in the thick of the fight for the semis despite the ouster on injury by chief playmaker LA Tenorio.

"It’s a good thing that I have a lot of point guards on my team," said Ateneo coach Joel Banal, who have two other reliable guards in Chris Quimpo and Macky Escalona.

Minus Tenorio, Enrico Villanueva and Rich Alvarez spearhead the Eagles’ assault with Larry Fonacier and Jack Chia providing the support. The Maroons will likely go to ace player Michael Bravo once again.