MANILA, Philippines - Rabeh Al-Hussaini will suit up for Ateneo when the Eagles take on the UE Warriors at the start of the second round of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament on Thursday.
Ricky Palou, Ateneo’s athletic director and representative to the UAAP board, said the 6-7 Al-Hussaini only suffered a minor sprain in his left ankle and will be ready to spearhead the Eagles’ bid against the Warriors.
“He should be able to play next game,” Palou said.
Team physician Dr. Raul Canlas said the reigning MVP would report for duty after evaluating the injury. Al-Hussaini took a bad fall with 5.59 minutes remaining in regulation of Sunday’s game which the Eagles won, 76-72, in overtime.
Al-Hussaini finished with only 13 points, two assists and one rebound in 23 minutes of action.
The Eagles are tied with the FEU Tams with 6-1 (win-loss) slates, two games ahead over the Archers, the Warriors and the Santo Tomas Tigers, who tote identical 4-3 cards.
Ateneo coach Norman Black said it’s difficult to play a strong team like UE right after slugging it out with their archrivals over the weekend.