Ateneo ready to face La Salle as underdogs

By Josiah Albelda Posted Jul 19th 2014

How will Ateneo de Manila University beat bitter rival and reigning champ De La Salle University?

There's only one thing to do for star guard Kiefer Ravena: double everything.

"Double the effort, double everything because we know we're going against the champs," he said.

The Blue Eagles and the Green Archers face off in the 77th UAAP men's basketball tournament Sunday morning at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with no team expected to pull punches back.

Ateneo is coming off a resounding victory to open its campaign, blasting Adamson University, 79-57, behind 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals from Ravena.

On the other hand, La Salle lost their first game, a 79-82 decision at the hands of Far Eastern University, who leaned on hot shooting by Mike Tolomia to score the win.

When the two teams battle, though, it will be the Archers who will be favored owing to their powerhouse and championship-winning roster.

And coach Bo Perasol is the first to admit they're at a disadvantage.

"Walang ka edge-edge ang Ateneo sa La Salle," he said. "Kahit anong tingin mo. Kahit anong position. When you consider the facts, I don't think any basketball aficionado will give us a chance against La Salle."

Perasol, however, points out one thing.

"When it comes to La Salle against Ateneo, it's a different ball game."

"A good game won't win it against La Salle," Ravena said. "We just have to grind it out against the defending champions."

Rookie Arvin Tolentino, meanwhile, expresses his excitement in his first Ateneo-La Salle game and vows to help the team in trying to pull off an upset.

"Excited na ako kahit medyo nervous," he shared. "Dehado kami sa rebounding. Pero dadaanin namin sa team rebounding."

The game will air live at 11 a.m. on ABS-CBN Sports+Action channel 23, BALLS HD SkyCable 167, uaapsports.tv, iwantv.com, TFC Bro and tfc.tv with a same day replay at 8 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34/ Destiny Cable channel 36.