Ateneo center Rabeh Al-Hussaini proved that he is a force to reckon with in the 72nd UAAP men's basketball tournament with scintillating performances in the Blue Eagles' first three matches.
Because of his solid games against Far Eastern U, University of the East and Santo Tomas, the 6-foot-6 center was unanimously chosen by the UAAP Press Corps as the first recipient of its weekly Player of the Week award. Al-Hussaini has been the focus of their opponents’ defense and the slotman admitted that their first three matches weren't a walk in the park even with his bulky frame. "The defense is on me every time and it is getting difficult for me to position," Al-Hussaini noted. "I needed to be patient and it works every time." Al-Hussaini has posted an average of 19.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, a very prolific output that the Ateneo center attributed much to the support his teammates have been giving him. "I alone could not win for Ateneo," said Al-Hussaini. "It is always a team effort. Especially now that Chris Tiu is gone, we need to play more as a team." Even with the defense collapsing on him, Al-Hussaini finished with 18 points when the Eagles won their opening assignment against Far Eastern University Tams, 63-59.
I alone could not win for Ateneo. It is always a team effort. Especially now that Chris Tiu is gone, we need to play more as a team. 
– Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Ateneo center
Several days later, Al-Hussaini was again wrecking havoc against University of the East Warriors as he fired 27 points, 19 in the second half, and 11 rebounds and Ateneo totally dominated the Red Warriors, 72-57. In their last match against Santo Tomas wherein Al-Hussaini was utilized sparingly because of foul trouble, the King Eagle still managed to post 13 points and grab four rebounds. The 93-77 victory over the Growling Tigers was Ateneo's second dominating win in the season. Al-Hussaini admitted that he is inspired to play very well everytime he's inside the court because he wants to prove that Ateneo is still the top team this season. "People are saying that FEU is number one this year, but we want to show we're still up there."
– Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV 
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