BLUE UNDERDOGS VS GREEN
The guys in Blue don’t mind being the underdog against their counterparts in Green in the highly-awaited sequel to their ‘Dream Game’ exhibition showdown this coming June 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
All the Eagles could guarantee is giving their decades-old rivals 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 any further Ateneo’s cause to get even against La Salle following their 104-117 loss in last year’s edition of the hardcourt battle for charity.
“We will be short handed with a couple of players out, plus coach Norman (Black), too,” added 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 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, but donning the school’s famed blue jerseys again are guards Chris Tiu and Eman Monfort.
“The last game we lost too, so I guess we will be the underdogs,” Arespacochaga added.
Others comprising the Blue Eagles roster are former UAAAP 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. (DBC)
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