Focus on prized rookies as Ateneo duels NU

MANILA, Philippines - Fancied Ateneo takes on another tough rival today as it collides with National U side in a game featuring the league’s celebrated rookies in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Eagles pulled off two hard-earned victories over the Adamson Falcons and arch rivals La Salle Archers to seize a share of the lead with a surprising University of Santo Tomas side.

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, bounced back from a heart-breaking overtime loss to the Tigers with an emphatic 75-66 win over the Univ. of the Phils. Maroons.

“That’s our goal, win as many games as we can,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.

“Every game is a different story. What I can say is we have to be always be prepared,” he added.

The 1 p.m. Ateneo-NU showdown will indeed be a different tale for the four-peat seeking Eagles, who will be trying to hurdle a team toughened up by the presence of Bobby Ray Parks.

Although the two schools’ emphasis will be on team play, the individual playmaking skills of NU’s ace recruit and Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena will draw much of the attention with the duo bouncing back with impressive games after a pair of so-so debuts.

Ravena put on a scoring show by firing 22 of his 23 points in the first half against La Salle that more than made up for a scoreless stint against Adamson last July 10.

The 6-4 Parks, the talented son of former seven-time PBA Best Import Bobby, Sr., was more impressive with a 30-point production in a win over the Maroons to become the first player to score 30 points or more since former Ateneo standout Rabeh Al Hussaini did the trick two years ago.