Game on Thursday
(Araneta Coliseum)
3:30 p.m. — UE vs FEU

Until now, Ateneo coach Norman Black has no preference as to which team it would like to meet in the finals of the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament.

For him, both University of the East and Far Eastern University are dangerous teams.

In fact, the multi-titled mentor who is seeking his second consecutive title believes that both FEU and UE have what it takes to beat them.

“They are two very good teams. The other (UE) is a team that has been on a roll while the other (FEU) has been plagued by some internal matters but we believe that both teams are dangerous opponents,” Black said after Ateneo mauled UST, 81-64, last Sunday.

The best-of-three championship series begins on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws and the Red Warriors dispute the last finals berth tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Warriors, out to end their title drought since 1986, forced a knockout match after beating the Tamaraws, 84-74, last Saturday – big thanks to Paul Lee.

Lee erupted for 26 points as the Warriors stretched their winning run to seven dating back the second round of the elims.

But the Morayta-based squad, seeking its first finals appearance since winning the title in 2005, could get its confidence back after enduring a week-long saga concerning its former star guard Mark Barroca.

Barroca, a national team mainstay, was removed from the team by FEU management after admitting that members of the team expressed dissatisfaction with his performance.

The 5-10 guard, who hails from Zamboanga is now with the Smart Gilas national team.

For now, Black wants to keep his players fresh heading into Sunday’s battle after receiving 17 points from Jai Reyes and 15 more from Ryan Buenafe.

“It is important for us to keep our players fresh and have our injured players healed by Sunday,” Black said.