FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY (2) VS UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST (3)
Strengths
Macky: FEU boasts of Smart Gilas national players’ JR Cawaling, Mark Barroca and Aldrech Ramos but UE’s winning streak and convincing domination of FEU in the second round shows they are the hottest team going into the semis.
Miko: FEU has size, athleticism and poise but UE has the momentum.
Alvin: Ramos and fellow Team Gilas teammate Barroca are the main ingredients in FEU's title bid. UE’s Paul Lee along with Elmer Espiritu form one of the most dangerous duos in the league.
Anthony: FEU is a complete team armed with a steady frontline and a heady backcourt. While you can credit UE’s six-game roll to its trademark “free-flowing” offense predicated on fluid ball movement and a well-oiled running attack.
Weakness
Miko: FEU has the tendency to play at opponents' pace and is distracted by new developments. UE, on the other hand, suffers from the pitfalls of a freewheeling system
Alvin: Inconsistency is the Tamarraws’ biggest problem. UE lacks a player who can create opportunities for the others.
Anthony: Can you last a season by just making 41-percent of your freethrows? That’s the same question Coach Glen Capacio keeps on asking his boys. UE is obviously not the real-time counter-attack type which capitalizes on its opponent’s miscues to get into the scoring groove.
Players
Macky: The troika of Lee, Pari Llagas and Espiritu armed with their athleticism and deadly offensive game are poised to repeat their win over the Tamaraws.
Miko: Mark Barroca has been content watching guys like Aldrech Ramos and RR Garcia make the critical baskets. UE’s Pari Llagas and Elmer Espiritu are sometimes overpowered but never outworked.
Alvin: JR Cawaling needs to bump up his scoring to take the load off Barocca and Cervantes. In the UE side, Val Acuna should get hot from the get go to allow both Espiritu and Lee to do their thing.
Anthony: Beefing the Tamaraws’ inside charge is double-double machine Aldrech Ramos (11.5 ppg and 11.6 rpg), Riel Cervantes, and rookie Pippo Noundou—all reiable single-coverage back-to-the-basket defenders. UE’s inside tenacy of Elemer Espiritu and Pari Llagas combine for at least 27 points each game. UE, meanwhile is about to run the Paul Lee show.
Forecast
Macky: I still predict an FEU win come Saturday. However, if FEU loses, then I have to say it will be UE marching on to the finals, upsetting FEU.
Anthony: FEU in two.
To read our color guy Alvin Jimenez's full entry, click here
To read our sports correspondent Anthony Divinagracia's full entry, click here
To read what the coaches have to say, click here
