Games on Saturday (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — NU vs UP
4 p.m. — UST vs FEU

Standings         W       L
Ateneo              7        1
FEU                  6        1
UST                  4        3
UE                    4        4
La Salle             4        4
NU                    2        5
Adamson           2        6
UP                    1        6

Streaking Far Eastern University shoots for a share of the lead on Saturday when it takes on University of Santo Tomas in the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Being the hottest team in the league right now – having won their last six games after dropping their first game against defending champion Ateneo – the Tamaraws are heavy favorites against the Tigers when they meet at 4 p.m.

Clashing in the first game at 2 p.m. are National University and University of the Philippines with the Bulldogs out to follow-up their stunning 76-70 win over the Adamson Falcons last week.

The win over the Falcons enabled the Bulldogs to close out their first round campaign with a 2-5 card. Adamson’s other victim was UP, which it beat, 68-58.

The Maroons have only one win to show after the first round of the eight-team field but it was very special since they scored it against the Eagles, 68-58.

During their six-game winning run, the Tamaraws beat the Tigers, 90-63, last Aug. 6 as Aldrech Ramos registered a double-double performance with 22 points – 17 of which came in the first half – and 13 rebounds.

But the team will be hard-pressed to duplicate the feat since they will be without forward Reil Cervantes who will serve out a one-game suspension for figuring in an altercation with University of the East’s Pari Llagas in the waning moments of its 76-72 win last Sunday.

The UAAP board’s technical committee, headed by Fr. Ermito de Sagun of UST, sanctioned both players saying that they were ejected by game officials. The decision came in spite of the recommendation of league commissioner Joe Lipa not to suspend the two players.

Despite this, Capacio feels confident about his team’s chances despite the absence of Cervantes, who averages 6.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in six games played during the first round.

“Wala tayong magagawa dahil yun ang decision ng board,” said Capacio. “Malaking kawalan siya (Cervantes) pero kailangan magstep-up yung ibang players.”

His team remains formidable with Ramos, ranked second in the race for the coveted Most Valuable Player, Mark Barroca, JR Cawaling and rookies Ryan Roose Garcia and Pipo Noundou leading the way.