MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo relishes the underdog tag as it braces for its duel with La Salle in the highly-awaited sequel to their “Dream Game†exhibition showdown on Sunday at the MOA Arena.
But the Eagles vow to give their best shot and give their arch rival one big fight.
“Good thing is whenever these two schools battle, you can never underestimate any team,†said Sandy Arespacochaga, who will be calling the shots for the Blue Eagles in the event dubbed “Blue vs Green†pitting Ateneo and La Salle players actively seeing action in the PBA.
That several Blue Eagles are nursing injuries doesn’t help Ateneo’s cause any further as they try to get even with La Salle following its 104-117 loss during last year’s edition of the fund-raising event.
“We will be short-handed with a couple of players out, plus coach Norman (Black), too,†said Arespacochaga, Black’s trusted deputy in the Blue Eagles’ successful title runs in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament the last five years.
Big man Enrico Villanueva will be suiting up again for the Katipunan-based squad although the veteran Barako Bull center is still coming off an ACL injury he suffered during the Philippine Cup.
Also missing in Ateneo’s line-up this year are playmaker LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier, although donning the school’s famed blue jersey again are guards Chris Tiu and Eman Monfort.
“The last game we lost too, so I guess we will be the underdogs,†said Arespacochaga.
Others suiting up for Ateneo are former UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao, JC Intal, Rich Alvarez, Doug Kramer, Wesley Gonzales, Paolo Bugia, Magnum Membrere and Eric Salamat.
In contrast, the Archers are bringing back MacMac Cardona, JV Casio, Mike Cortez, RenRen Ritualo, Joseph Yeo, Rico Maierhofer, Willy Wilson, TY Tang, Ryan Arana, Carlo Sharma, Don Allado, and rookie Simon Atkins.
Franz Pumaren, architect of La Salle’s four straight UAAP men’s basketball title from 1998 to 2001, will again be calling the shots for the Taft-based school.