La Salle needs this one more than Ateneo does.
But this doesn’t mean the Blue Eagles will take it nice and easy when they face the Green Archers today at the Araneta Coliseum.
“La Salle always is our biggest game no matter what the standings are,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.
“Without a doubt, La Salle is always our biggest game,” he added.
Ateneo, at 12-1, is assured of the top spot in the Final Four, and regardless of today’s result will enjoy a twice-to-beat edge against No. 4 University of the East.
La Salle, on the other hand, is at 10-3, and a loss will drop them into a tie with Far Eastern U at 10-4. This would lead to a playoff to determine the No. 2 team.
In short, Ateneo can afford to lose this game while La Salle must win at all costs to avoid the complications of a playoff that would give FEU the chance to land at second spot.
But as Black said, any game against La Salle is big – whenever, wherever and whatever the standings are.
The Green Archers, who lost to the Blue Eagles in the first round, would need all the help they can to win this one, and move a step closer toward a title showdown with Ateneo.
The Green Archers won their last two games without head coach Franz Pumaren although they needed a buzzer-beater from Maui Villanueva to beat UST, and an extra period to beat Adamson.
Pumaren went out of the country to call the shots for the RP Youth team that saw action in the Tehran FIBA-Asia junior tourney and has gone out of contention. But he has taken the flight back home in time for today’s game.
“Yes, Franz will be there (today),” said his younger brother, UE coach Dindo Pumaren.