Blue Eagles seek UAAP Final Four redemption

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo can redeem itself from its Final Four meltdown last year by toppling its higher-ranked opponent in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball semis this time.

The Eagles emerged No. 1 in last year’s Final Four but lost twice to fourth-seeded National U and bowed out of the finals race.

In the current competition, the Eagles took the No. 3 seeding after finishing with a 9-5 slate and face the daunting task of hacking out back-to-back victories against Far Eastern U (10-3). The Tams have put a lock on the No. 2 and semis bonus regardless of the outcome of their final elims outing against DLSU (6-7) on Wednesday.

“Isa yun sa mga palaisipan sa amin. If may gumawa nun sa amin, ibig sabihin kaya rin naming gawin (That’s one of the thoughts we’re having. If a lower-ranked team did it to us last year, then it means we can also do it to a higher seed),” said AdMU coach Bo Perasol.

“It will look insurmountable pero hindi naman naging ganoon ang pag-iisip ng NU last year (but that was not the thinking of NU last year), that’s why they beat us twice. So we really have to focus kung ano’ng mga kailangan naming gawin against FEU,” he added.

Despite losing to the Tams in the elims, 64-88 and 61-66, Perasol expressed belief his wards can go toe-to-toe with their fancied rivals.   

“I think we can match up with them. It’s not going to be easy but we need to take that Game One, that’s what’s important,” said Perasol.

AdMU lost its last elims assignment to University of the East, 69-74, but Perasol considered it a blessing in disguise.

“The loss took away the complacency. We’re on our toes and realized that if we don’t bring our A-game, we’re in trouble,” he said.