Games on Thursday
(Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. UP vs UE
4 p.m. UST vs FEU

Far Eastern University shoots for its fifth straight win when it battles University of Santo Tomas on Thursday in the UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum with the Growling Tigers likely to play minus its top player.

The Tamaraws dropped their opening game to defending champion Ateneo de Manila in the opener but the Morayta-based squad is on a roll since then, having won its last four games – the latest was 77-65 conquest of University of the Philippines last Saturday.

Game time is at 4 p.m. with the Tamaraws heavily favored to prevail since UST may play without its main man in Dylan Ababou.

Clashing at 2 p.m. are University of the East and UP with the Warriors out to improve their 3-2 card – the same as UST’s record.

The 6-4 Ababou, who averages over 20 points a game, is facing a one-game ban following a tumultuous double overtime loss against the La Salle Green Archers last Sunday.

UAAP Commissioner Joe Lipa has recommended the suspensions of Ababou and also of his teammate Chris Camus for separate infractions.

Camus was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul in the second quarter for punching La Salle’s Maui Villanueva while Ababou was seen through a video review hitting Jovet Mendoza in the third period.

Mendoza was also recommended a one-game ban by Lipa after he was called for an unsportsmanlike foul for hitting Ababou. He could also miss Sunday’s game against Ateneo.

The UAAP board's technical committee, headed by UST’s Fr. Ermito de Sagun, will make the final decision regarding Lipa’s recommendation which maybe announced before the game.

“It depends on whether we are able to meet and decide before the game,” said technical committee member Ricky Palou.

Despite the possible loss of Ababou and Camus, UST head coach Pido Jarencio remains upbeat.

“Handa naman kami kung sakaling wala sila,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio. “Siguro opportunity ito para sa mga ibang players namin para magshine at makapagcontribute.”

A heated debate was expected in the case of Ababou since the member of the RP developmental team is a strong contender for the MVP. Under UAAP rules, a player who has been suspended is automatically removed from the list of MVP candidates.