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Emotions will run high, team loyalties will be revived and the cheers will be at its loudest when UAAP’s Final Four kicks off this week.

Four of the best collegiate coaches are all set to face each other.  Norman Black, Dindo Pumaren, Franz Pumaren and, Glen Capacio are all determined to lead their teams to victory.  Of the four, only DLSU’s Franz Pumaren has won a title.

Ateneo vs. UE

Norman Black has successfully transformed the Blue Eagles into a power squad.  With the emergence of a much improved Rabeh Al Husseini, Black has been blessed with the big man that most teams can only dream off.  Al Husseni can score, rebound and defend as good as or even better than any other center in the league.
In addition to Al Husseini, Nonoy Baclao has also emerged as one of the best defensive big men.  He is 2nd in the league in blocks and is definitely a reason why most teams have had to rely on their outside game when playing Ateneo.   With Buenafe as the other forward, Ateneo’s front line is definitely solid.

The Blue Eagles also have an impressive backcourt in Tiu, Reyes, Salamat and at times Escueta.  In close games, there is probably no one more reliable than Chris Tiu to pull a rabbit out of the proverbial hat.  Salamat is one of the best 6th men in the league.  Reyes has hit clutch 3s when needed and has benefitted greatly as a starter.

Ateneo’s role players have also had their big part in their 13 -1 record.  Austria, Escueta and Baldos have played quality minutes.  If only Kirk Long and Jobe Nkemakolam would step-up, this would probably be the best bench in the league.

Ateneo has to break the curse of the number 1 team that has plagued the league last few years.
UE on the other hand is an enigma.  They have the talent but can’t seem to have the consistency that it showed in last year’s elimination.  Playing its best, UE can beat any team in league but they can also play so bad that a team like the erratic Adamson Falcons beat them.

UE’s strength should be its big men.  Espiritu, Llagas and Thiele are no pushovers.   They can bang with Ateneo’s big men.  Their guards are also very talented.  Arellano, Martinez, Paul Lee, Lingganay and Zamar give Coach Dindo Pumaren flexibility in his rotation.

UE will have to play its best games to beat the Blue Eagles twice.  They should not feel the same pressure they felt last year when they came into the Finals 14 – 0.  Their reputation of crumbling in the big games like they did in 2006 and 2007 will still be the monkey on their back.  If Coach Dindo expects to ever win a championship, this historical black eye should once and for all be removed.

Ateneo in 2.

FEU – La Salle

FEU is a lot better than most people thought they would be.  Even last year, with a mostly rookie line-up, they almost made it to the Final Four.

Mark Barroca, Aldrech Ramos, Reihl Cervantes and Jens Knuttel have been a major surprise.  More than the players, it has also been the coaching of Glen Capacio that has made the Tamaraws a legitimate contender.  He has been able to overcome the successive obstacles that FEU has had to endure.

Compared to La Salle, FEU has a more formidable front court.  Cervantes and Ramos are not just defensive powers but also contribute greatly on the offense.  So this is something that FEU will definitely exploit.
If Cawaling, Fernandez and/or Adolfo play up to their capabilities, FEU is even stronger.   Their guard combination of Barroca and Knuttel will most definitely be used by Coach Glen.  With Knuttel at point, Barroca is given the opportunity to either score or find the open man.   In addition, though not 100%, Baracael will still play quality minutes.

With a combination of speed and height, FEU will try and force La Salle to play outside. This will also allow them to control the boards.
La Salle will have to play perfect basketball if they want to advance to the Finals.  This is probably the shallowest team Coach Franz Pumaren has coached.  However, nothing is a surprise anymore with Coach Franz.  When you think you have the answers, Coach Franz changes the questions.

La Salle has to get big games from JVee Casio to beat FEU.  I am sure the Tamaraw coaching staff saw what a shackled Casio did in the game against Ateneo.   Casio cannot play point guard because it drains his energy and takes away his ability to be open.  He needs to carry the team on his shoulders and that is no easy task.  Expect Glen Capacio to put a bigger body like Cawaling to guard Casio.

Maierhofer will need to have his mind solely on the game.  He cannot carry the team like Casio does because he is the only one who can fight for those rebounds.  He has to stay inside rather than go for those outside shots.
La Salle will also have to hope that Peejay Barua hits his shots.  The Green Archers have not lost a game when Barua scores at least 9 points.   If he starts hitting the 3s, FEU will have to.

I have a feeling that Coach Franz will use LA Revilla more than usual to be able to neutralize the speed of the Barroca – Knuttel tandem.  Atkins has not played as well as expected and is a step slower than either of the 2 FEU guards.

The Green Archers have no inside presence other than Maierhofer.  Addressing this would surely be a concern for Coach Franz.   If he can motivate Ferdinand to equal the monster game of Kish Co in last year’s Finals, then DLSU may have a chance.

FEU in 3 (Yes, I don’t think La Salle will beat FEU in this matchup).

I hope that there will be no brouhaha over the officiating.  If there is one time that NABRO can salvage any semblance of respect, it will be in the Final Four.  The referees should control the games, make the calls that need to be made and give the fans a Final Four worthy of the quality of the competition.

Tags: Ateneo, blue-eagles, FEU, Green-Archers, La-Salle, Petron, Red-Warriors, Tamaraws, UAAP Season 71 Final Four, UE

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