Can Eagles make it three in row over Archers?

The Philippine Star
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Will the law of averages finally catch up with the Blue Eagles?

Coach Norman Black will certainly hope not when Ateneo, still reeling from a shocking loss to National University last Saturday, faces fierce rival La Salle today in a very, very crucial match in the 70th UAAP season.

“Beating La Salle three consecutive games is very difficult,” Black admitted after his team threw away a golden chance to clinch the No. 2 spot and the twice-to-beat edge in the semis.

“I don’t want to dwell on the negative, but on the positive, which is we still have a chance. Given this opportunity, it’s either you take advantage of it or you don’t,” he said.

All the Blue Eagles needed to come closer to the finals was beat NU last Saturday. Instead, the Blue Eagles will have to do it the hard way, starting with this 3 p.m. match with the Green Archers.

Whoever wins today will earn a good chance of advancing to the best-of-three finals with unbeaten University of the East.

“The thing is we have to win on Tuesday and see what happens next,” added Black. A couple more playoffs are on tap to determine who gets to face UE in the finals.

Ateneo held a very light practice last Sunday and spent a longer time at the Moro Lorenzo Gym yesterday, mapping out ways on how to beat La Salle for the third straight time this year.

La Salle will come off back-to-back losses to Ateneo and UE, but had its adrenalin pumping after NU scored the shocking win, and gave the Green Archers another shot at the No. 2 slot.

“It was a very good win by NU. Now we have another chance to land at second spot,” said coach Franz Pumaren, hoping that his team can finally beat Ateneo in the game that matters.

The game was originally scheduled for Thursday at the Astrodome. But it was moved today at the bigger Big Dome, which could house as many as 20,000 fans.

Black welcomed the change.

“That’s fine. For me I’d rather play right away that sit around for one week thinking about what just happened in the NU game. At least this way we can get back to the mix immediately,” he said.

But against the well-rested Green Archers, the Blue Eagles may be in for yet another surprise.