FAR EASTERN University faces a tough test on Sunday when it takes on second-running University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In a battle of the top two teams in the league so far, the Tamaraws stake their unbeaten slate against the Tigers, winners of three of their four games, at 4 p.m.
FEU coach Nash Racela expects to have their hands full against the Tigers even without Jeric Teng, who is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.
Racela said Teng’s absence will not a be a huge problem for UST, which has been getting fine performances from other players.
“One thing about losing a player, you learn to play without him and you allow other players to step forward,” said Racela.
Such was the case in UST’s last outing against University of the East as Karim Abdul and Aljon Mariano each had 25 and 24 points each in the Tigers’ 88-77 win last week.
“Mariano and Abdul, lumalabas na ang laro. It will be doubly hard for us,” said Racela.
In the 2 p.m. match, cellar dwellers Ateneo and University of the Philippines collide.
The five-time defending champion Blue Eagles have only won once in five games and is coming off a 68-72 loss to UE on Wednesday.
UP, meanwhile, is still winless in five games, losing to National University, 64-50, in its last match on July 14.
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