Ateneo tests winless UP

By Josiah Albelda Posted Jul 23rd 2014

Ateneo de Manila University might be off to a wonderful start, but coach Bo Perasol still believes that the Blue Eagles have more work to do.

"We still can get better," the second-year mentor said. "Maganda na yung 2-0, kesa 0-3 kami last year."
The Katipunan cagers get the chance to add another win to their slate when they take on neighbors University of the Philippines in the 77th UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Ateneo showered bitter rival De La Salle University with three-pointers in the fourth quarter to run away with a 97-86 win last Sunday and will look to do the same against the winless Fighting Maroons Wednesday.

Only this time, they won't be the underdogs.

Nevertheless, UP coach Rey Madrid, whose wards have been blown out in their first two games, shares they have a better chance of keeping in step with the Eagles than in their earlier foes.

"I think we can match up better against Ateneo," said Madrid, who also stood firm on his promise of at least three wins for the Maroons this season.

Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal will be on UP's crosshairs, as the Diliman dribblers attempt to stop the high-scoring duo, who combined to plaster the Green Archers with 50 points.

Ravena and Pessumal, who teamed up to lead Ateneo High School to a UAAP juniors three-peat, sank four and two three-pointers, respectively, with the former doing the damage in the final period.

The Maroons can't afford to let that happen, but it would be easier said than done after they gave Dan Alberto (four triples) and Gelo Alolino (four treys) career three-point shooting games in their last two outings.

The game will air live at 2 p.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 9 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34/ Destiny Cable channel 36.

NOTES: UP has lost 23 straight games dating back to August 19, 2012. The Fighting Maroons have also lost nine in a row to Ateneo dating back to July 26, 2009.