MANILA, Philippines - Pacesetting Far Eastern U guns for its fourth straight win against La Salle while University of Santo Tomas and University of the East, two teams reeling from Wednesday’s loss and facing manpower woes, collide in a pair of explosive games in today’s UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tournament at MOA Arena.
The Tams, alone at the top following victories over UE, Ateneo and University of the Philippines, seek to put more distance between themselves and a four-team pack occupying second at 2-1 that includes the Green Archers, in the 4 p.m. main fare.
“La Salle is a tough team. They’re a well-coached team,†said FEU coach Nash Racela of the Juno Sauler-mentored Archers. “Coach Juno is a very smart coach. I worked with him before and I know what he can bring to La Salle. We’ll prepare for them, especially against their bigs, which has been their strength.â€
The Tigers (2-1) and the Warriors (1-2) tangle at 2 p.m. both determined to get back on track after losing to National U, 67-71, and Adamson, 71-78, respectively. But key starters are likely to miss the crucial encounter as UST’s Jeric Teng is “doubtful†after suffering a shoulder injury off a hard push from NU’s Joeff Javillonar from behind and UE’s Charles Mammie suspended for disciplinary sanction from commissioner Chito Loyzaga.
X-ray on the shoulder didn’t show dislocation and Teng is keeping his fingers crossed the results of MRI, which are still forthcoming, would show no major damage. In the meantime, Teng has been advised to rest and put ice on the injured shoulder.
Mammie got the one-game ban after incurring a second “warning†this season for “confronting, pushing and kicking AdU player Roider Cabrera from behind with the intention to hurt.†UE coach Boyzie Zamar and school officials, however, appealed for a “lifting of the suspension†yesterday, saying the Warriors hadn’t received any formal communication from Loyzaga regarding the first and second infractions purportedly committed by Mammie.