Rabeh makes difference for No. 1 Eagles

Big man Rabeh Al-Hussaini is definitely the biggest reason why Ateneo landed on top of the standings after the elimination round of the 71st UAAP season.

And the good thing about this 19-year-old, six-foot-six slotman is that he’s ready to take on any one, any team.

“Wala kaming kinakatakutan (We fear no one),” he said last Saturday after guiding Ateneo past bitter rival La Salle, 65-57, before a jampacked crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

Al-Hussaini, in his fourth year for Ateneo, had 18 points, an assist and a block in 32 minutes of action. He was the only player on the team who did not commit a turnover in the game.

It was a very typical game for Al-Hussaini who has shown tremendous improvement on his first year as a starter.

“Ako naman basta laro lang (All I do is play),” he said moments after Ateneo’s second win over La Salle this season, a win that cemented the Blue Eagles’ domination of the elims.

Even Chris Tiu, Ateneo’s heart and soul, is amazed.

“He (Al-Hussaini) really makes me proud out there,” he said.

In his first three years for Ateneo, Al-Hussaini logged in a total of 177 points and 160 rebounds. After only 14 games this year, he has logged in a total of 252 points (18.0 ppg) and 134 rebounds (9.6 rpg).

He has recorded four double-double outputs this year, and owns the season-high of 33 points recorded in Ateneo’s bitter loss to FEU in the first round, so far Ateneo’s only loss this year.

Understandably, Al-Hussaini is in the running for the MVP award, closely behind Santo Tomas main man and reigning MVP Jervy Cruz whose team is already out of contention.

In contrast, Al-Hussaini’s job is far from over.

Ateneo, being the No. 1 team, will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage over No. 4 UE in the Final Four. Defending champion La Salle and FEU will dispute the No. 2 and No. 3 ranking on Thursday.