Pumaren: ADMU still the team to beat
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/07/2009 6:26 PM
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MANILA – The Ateneo de Manila (ADMU) Blue Eagles and De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers are ready to ignite their rivalry once again as the UAAP Season 72 kicks off on Saturday.
While the much-awaited Ateneo-La Salle fight is slated on Aug. 9, the famed rivalry is still the focus of the basketball league.
During Monday's UAAP press conference, coaches of ADMU and DLSU were asked to comment on their rival team’s current roster of players.
Green Archers coach Franz Pumaren considered Ateneo “still as No. 1.” He reasoned that “the nucleus of the championship team is still there.” Pumaren added that ADMU has some “pretty good rookies.”
Ateneo swept La Salle in the 2008 UAAP best-of-three finals, 2-0. Game 1 had a score of 69-61 while Game 2 was sealed at 62-51.
Blue Eagles coach Norman Black, meantime, said that DLSU is one of the teams with the best conditioning not just in the league but in the country. He said his team will try to match La Salle’s conditioning.
Black also mentioned that though DLSU is a young team this year, it is composed of talented players.
Pumaren earlier admitted that his squad is in the process of rebuilding as it lost its star players Rico Maierhoffer and JV Casio.
“If you lose your best scorer, best defensive player and best rebounder, it’s very hard to adjust,” remarked Pumaren.
For Black, he said he is looking forward to the long season ahead. He also urged them not to live in the past. He noted that he wants his players to maintain focus and concentration.
“The line-up is not a problem as far as continuity is concerned,” declared Black.
One day at a time
Not to be discounted are the chances of the other UAAP member teams: Adamson University (AdU) Falcons, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, National University (NU) Bulldogs, University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, University of the East (UE) Red Warrios, and University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers.
UP coach Aboy Castro disclosed that the Fighting Maroons comprise a young team. Manny Dandan of NU also said his team is still in the rebuilding stage. “Medyo bata pa team namin.
Pido Jarencio of UST acknowledged his squad’s weaknesses as it has nine rookies and seven veterans. “Medyo mahina tayo, maliliit pa kami.”
“One day at a time. Tapos from there kung manalo, bahala na kung saan mapunta,” he added.
Jarencio then warned the other teams, “Ingat na lang kayo sa amin.”
FEU’s Glenn Capacio, for his part, said he is happy with the Tamaraws’ line-up because it is a balanced team with eight rookies and eight veterans. “Siyempre we’ll go for the final four first,” he remarked.
Adamson coach Leo Austria said he sees an opportunity for the Falcons to get into the final four given their experience in the summer league.
Lawrence Chongson of UE also looks forward to season 72 with optimism. “The crown has been elusive,” he noted. “Hopefully, it’s this year for us.”
Of the eight UAAP member teams, three of them were able to gain training experience abroad.
The Red Warriors and Blue Eagles trained in Las Vegas, Nevada while the Green Archers went to Chicago, Illinois. Defending champion Ateneo also trained in Vancouver, Canada.
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