Eagles chasing UAAP history versus Tigers

Source: Jasmine W Payo; Philippine Daily Inquirer
When Ateneo battles University of Santo Tomas for the UAAP championship, the Blue Eagles will be chasing history that comes with a fifth straight crown.

Ever since University of the East strung up seven straight titles from 1965 to 1971, no team has come close to threatening the record in men’s basketball. 

So with another title conquest, the Blue Eagles will not only move within two wins of matching the feat but also earn the distinction of having the second longest championship reign in the league.

UST's Abdul spared suspension

Source:  Olmin Leyba; Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Santo Tomas Tigers will field a full roster when they start their showdown with five-peat-seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles for the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball crown on Saturday as star center Karim Abdul escaped suspension despite incurring a second unsportsmanlike foul in the previous game.

“Hindi suspended si Abdul (Abdul is not suspended),” commissioner Ato Badolato told The STAR yesterday.

There were concerns that the 6-6 Abdul will have to sit out the finals opener after getting slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul (UF) for nudging an airborne Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. during the Final Four. It was Abdul’s second UF this season after getting one for hitting University of the East’s JR Sumido in an earlier eliminations assignment.

Tigers' stint vs Eagles still hangs in balance

Source: Olmin Leyba; The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines -  The status of University of Santo Tomas’ Cameroonian center Karim Abdul for Game 1 of the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball finals against Ateneo is still hanging in the air as the league weighs whether his unsportsmanlike foul in the Tigers’ 63-57 win over the National U Bulldogs, his second for the season, merits sanction.

“No decision yet,” UAAP commissioner Ato Badolato said yesterday afternoon in reply to The STAR’s query on Abdul’s case.

League rules call for a one-game ban if a player accumulates two unsportsmanlike fouls that could be classified as “intended to hurt.”