New-look Maroons test Eagles for early lead
Ateneo and University of the Philippines seek follow-ups to impressive debuts when they clash on Saturday, while National U and University of the East look to bounce back and end the first week of UAAP Season 89 collegiate men’s basketball tournament eliminations on a positive note at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons battle in the latest chapter of their storied “Battle of Katipunan” rivalry at 5:30 p.m., with the game serving as the first major test for Ateneo, even as the Bulldogs and the Red Warriors pull the curtains up on an interesting double header at 3 p.m.
Despite being bannered by a new core, the Fighting Maroons made an early statement that they can still contend for another championship after rallying past University of Santo Tomas, 92-85, on opening day.
Led by Nigerian Francis Nnoruka and Noy Remogat, the Maroons are showing that there is life after the “Maroon 5” days that were bannered by JD Cagulangan.
“I believe this group din has its own identity din as a team,” coach Goldwin Monteverde, now in his sixth season with the Maroons, said. “So far, while the team’s working together, they develop chemistry. At the same time, everybody’s really committed to really working and improving.”
Nnoruka, who had 18 points and 12 rebounds against the Growling Tigers, knows this version of the Maroons needs to raising the bar even higher.
“I believe the previous UP teams, how everybody sees them, they have like a standard. It’s pretty much about continuing where they left off and raising the standards high,” Nnoruka, who takes over from the effective Malick Diouf as UP’s foreign student-athlete, said.
“I think it’s pretty much the mindset that we’ve had on our team the whole year,” he went on. “We’ve just got to go out and show up, play with heart, effort, and just try and get the job done.”
Meanwhile, the Eagles seem to be healing well from the deadly disaster that marred their off-season.
Now focused on a campaign dedicated to fallen student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, Ateneo dominated the University of the East, 101-74, on Wednesday.
“I think it says a lot about the players’ willingness, because after everything that happened to them, we still fight it out,” said assistant coach RJ Jazul, who spoke on behalf of interim coach Louie Alas. “Of course, the emotional baggage will always be there. But they keep on climbing every day with hard practices. They’re all going hard.”
Ateneo seeks to end a two-year Final Four drought.
