The title as to who is the country’s premier collegiate squad will be known Sunday as UAAP champion Ateneo and Far Eastern University clash in the deciding Game 3 of their 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League title series at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
With that as the ultimate prize, expect both the Eagles and Tamaraws to raise their game to another level when they tangle at 3:30 p.m.
The Blue Eagles, out complete a dream season, forced a rubber match in their best-of-three title series by scoring a murderous 90-63 win in Game 2 last Thursday.
This win came a day after the Morayta-based squad came back from a 14-point first-half deficit and six heading into the final canto for a stunning 75-70 victory in the series opener.
After days of speculation as to whether he will play or not, 6-foot-5 big man Nonoy Baclao will suit up in Sunday's action after the ASEAN Basketball League's Philippine Patriots gave him permission to suit up for this all-important affair. The Patriots will play the Brunei Barracudas today in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Although Ateneo will play without 6-foot-6 Rabeh Al-Hussaini because of his stint with the Smart Gilas national team, coach Norman Black is confident his team can do the task even without him.
"We will show up with the players we had and try to give it our best shot in winning the championship," said Black, who hopes to lead Ateneo to a championship in three tournaments played this year and the first PCCL title since 2007.
But FEU is out to spoil that plan and try to win a record third PCCL crown since it was launched in 2002.
For FEU to win, coach Glenn Capacio must draw huge numbers from rookie guard RR Garcia.
After exploding for 22 points, including 12 in the payoff, in Game 1, Garcia was held to just two points on 1-of-6 shooting.
The RP mainstays, Aldrech Ramos and JR Cawaling, as well as Reil Cervantes and Paul Sanga must also deliver to have a fair chance of beating the Eagles.
Game on Sunday (Ynares Sports Arena)
3:30 p.m. — FEU vs. Ateneo
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