Tams big men pose tough test to Eagles

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University’s guards RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo are a given in Ateneo’s must-contain list in the coming UAAP men’s basketball finals. But Blue Eagles coach Norman Black wants his wards to work as hard in neutralizing the Tams’ big men, too.

According to Black, FEU’s frontliners Aldrech Ramos, Reil Cervantes, Mark Bringas and Pippo Noundou can be as dangerous as MVP Garcia and rookie of the year Romeo.

“Our big men have to play better if we’re going to beat them,” said Black, whose team will gun for a three-peat against the top seeded Tams beginning Saturday.

Ramos, Cervantes, Bringas and Noundou accounted for combined averages of 35 points and 23.5 rebounds in the two times that FEU defeated Ateneo in the elims, 72-69 and 74-72.

“That’s really the strength of their team. They have good guards in Garcia and Romeo but at the same time, it’s really those four big guys who can make the big difference in the game. They’re very difficult to stop. Unlike some of the other teams we played, the big men of FEU really tried to attack. They really have the offensive skills to attack you,” Black said.

He said they will make extra effort in preparing Nico Salva, Ryan Buenafe, Justin Chua and Edwin Escueta for the battle inside the lane.

Escueta, though, faces the danger of being suspended in Game 1 as he was slapped an unsportsmanlike foul in AdMU’s 68-55 semis win over Adamson last Sunday, his second infraction this season.

UAAP commissioner Ato Badolato said they are reviewing the game on video to determine if the unsportsmanlike foul assessed was right and whether or not Escueta will have to sit out the opener as penalty. At press time, the league has yet to decide on Escueta’s case.

Overall, Black feels good about his team’s chances against the Tams.

“It should be a good match-up. I don’t see any team having the distinct advantage, even if they’ve beaten us twice,” said Black.