FEU's Racela wary of UE's 'super imports'

By Josiah Albelda Posted Jul 30th 2014

Are you ready for some high-speed action?

Two of the league's quickest teams — Far Eastern University and University of the East — face off in the 77th UAAP men's basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Both coming off contrasting results, the Tamaraws and Red Warriors tangle at 2:00pm, with both needing a big victory to keep in step with the leaders this early in the season.

And FEU coach Nash Racela knows the odds are stacked against them.

"From the very beginning, I said that UE is a strong team," he said after the Tamaraws walloped University of the Philippines on Sunday, 85-71.

"Medyo mabigat para sa amin," Racela added. "We just have to find ways."

The second-year coach said he's worried about the Warriors' two Cameroonian imports — the hulking Charles Mammie and the athletic and long-limbed Moustapha Arafat.

"The two of them are super imports," he shared. "Mammie is capable of dominating inside. Arafat is very active on both ends."

To at least contain the two UE reinforcements, Racela would have to lean on the frontline led by the vastly-improved Mac Belo, who came off the bench to spur the Morayta cagers against the Fighting Maroons.

"Mac showed his true leadership," he said of his forward. "After playing two very good games, nag sacrifice siya. Even if he was coming off the bench, di siya nagpilit."

On the other hand, Roi Sumang vows payback for the sorry loss they suffered at the hands of De La Salle University, when the Warriors led all the way only to falter in the last two minutes.

"Bawi talaga sa Wednesday," said the guard, who played through fever against the Green Archers.

The game will air live 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.