Ateneo looks to continue strong start vs La Salle

FACING rival and defending champ De La Salle, Ateneo de Manila looks to continue its strong start in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday. The Blue Eagles face the Green Archers at 6 p.m. in the main event of the day, ticketed separately from the first game between Adamson and National University at 2:30 p.m. Leading Ateneo to a 3-1 start for a share of the standings lead with Far Eastern University, coach Louie Alas emphasized healing for the Eagles rather than focusing on facing their rivals. Ateneo is enjoying a good start including an 87-76 win against NU last Saturday. This follows a gloomy offseason centered on the deaths of players Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia in a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora last June. "He's a good coach (coach Topex Robinson). The way we prepared for our previous games, we'll do the same or even prepare harder," said Alas. "Coaching Ateneo is big already. The important thing for me is, like I said, the healing. It's easier to heal when you're winning so that's the big motivation. We'll try to prepare as hard as we can." Alas and Robinson were together in Alaska and Phoenix in the...