Of the three playing days that had to be moved to a new date owing to the rains and floods, two would have featured Ateneo against lowly squads Adamson and University of the Philippines and Blue Eagles coach Norman Black was pretty positive that they would have conquered the two and would have been up there with the top teams.

The two games have been set for Sept. 1 (against Adamson) and Sept. 6 (against UP) and Black faces the possibility of absorbing his fourth straight setback as the Eagles deal with the Far Eastern Tamaraws as action returns to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

While the Tamaraws have been blowing hot and cold, there is still that danger of an upset considering that Ateneo lost to FEU the first time the two teams met last July 29 at the Araneta Coliseum, 77-64.

"We have to stay focused and prepare well for FEU," said Black a couple of days ago.

Chris Tiu will lead the Ateneo assault with Jai Reyes, Ken Barracoso, Rabe Al-Hussaini and Claiford Arao raring to back him up, while FEU will turn to Marnel Baracael, Mark Barroca and Marlon Adolfo.

In the first game, La Salle tries to distance itself from the other contending teams as the Green Archers face the Fighting Maroons, a team bannered by sophomore Woody Co and rookie Mike Gamboa.

It is again expected that Franz Pumaren will experiment with his rotation as they rev up a Final Four berth.

La Salle is fresh from shooting down the Adamson Falcons, 75-55.