Final Four Preview: Ateneo aims for KO punch vs UE

MANILA, Philippines – If Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Norman Black had it his way, he would like a short playoff series against the University of the East Red Warriors. Like just one game? Black and his Eagles aim to eliminate the Warriors on Sunday to earn the first championship berth in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament. “As much as possible we want a quicker and faster way to the championship series," said Black, whose Eagles enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage against the Warriors. “We don’t want the series to go into two games since we know UE is capable of coming back." While Ateneo only needs one game to barge into the finals, its fourth since the league used the final-four format in 1994, UE is in a must-win situation to force a do-or-die game. It will also be Ateneo’s ninth semifinal appearance but only the third time as a top seed. Black knows the brand of play UE brings inside the court as the Red Warriors nearly beat the Eagles in their two meetings this season. “As of now we are focused on accomplishing our task ahead. We are concentrating to get into the championship." In the first round, UE was leading midway in the final quarter before Rabeh Al-Hussaini imposed his presence inside the paint to lift Ateneo to a 64-58 win. The Eagles also showed end-game poise and a never-say-die attitude in their second meeting against the Warriors where they rallied from an eight-point deficit to score a 61-57 overtime win. Chris Tiu forced the overtime by burying three three-pointers, while Nonoy Baclao’s defensive stops in the five-minute extension completed Ateneo’s comeback. “UE is quicker and faster since they have a smaller line-up. We just have to execute well against their pressure defense. We will just go out and play well," Black said. There was no rest for Black and the Eagles as they resumed their practice almost two days after closing out the elimination round with a 65-57 win over rival and defending champion La Salle Green Archers on September 6. “We have our regular practice at 6am at the Moro Lorenzo Gym. Nothing has changed. The players are fine and our approach is still the same," said Black, who will once again bank on the towering duo of Al-Hussaini and Baclao in leading Ateneo’s attack against UE. “Our size is really our clear advantage against UE so we will have to exploit on that. We have been using our size as an advantage against other teams in the league." Al-Hussaini, the only threat to University of Santo Tomas Tigers Jervy Cruz’s bid to win a second straight MVP, averaged 20.9 points and 10.1 rebounds in Ateneo’s season-ending eight-game winning run that included a 7-0 sweep of the second round. The Eagles’ center had three double-double finishes in that stretch. Baclao, on the other hand, makes his contributions on the defensive end, averaging 8.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. He even has a season-high four blocks against UST in the first round and La Salle in their second encounter. – GMANews.TV