ASSOCIATED PRESS Guard Uriah Moenoa and defensive tackle Lui Fuga, both of Hawaii, faced off during yesterday's West practice.

Fiery Fuga, merry
Moenoa mix it up

Strong performances this week
could land the former Hawaii
linemen in April's NFL Draft

Hula Bowl Maui Who: East vs. West Where: War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku When: 2 p.m. tomorrow TV: ESPN2 (subject to blackout on Maui)

WAILUKU » The day after his final University of Hawaii football game, Lui Fuga went to work. In many ways, Dec. 25, 2004, was just another day for him.

"Yeah, I went back to my job, working as a counselor with kids at risk," the defensive tackle from Waipahu said. "I never did stop."

He never stopped lifting or running, either, getting ready for a potential pro career.

"I can't sleep at night if I don't work out," Fuga said.

Just as it is for his well-known Hawaii teammates -- quarterback Tim Chang and receiver Chad Owens -- tomorrow's Hula Bowl Maui is Fuga's chance to show he deserves a chance to make an NFL team. He's already felt the scrutiny of talent evaluators all week here.

"There is a lot of pressure, because your future is at stake. Everything you do is being watched by the scouts," he said.

Like Uriah Moenoa, another UH teammate here for the game, Fuga is projected as a late-round pick or free agent. Both are linemen of Samoan ancestry from isle high schools who helped the Warriors to four winning seasons.

But they don't have that much else in common. Their personalities are very different. Fuga is intense, Moenoa is jovial.

"I guess that's the difference between O-line and D-line," Moenoa said yesterday, turning the stereotype on its head.

He said he and Fuga -- friends and sometime workout partners now -- didn't exactly hit it off when they became teammates five years ago at UH.

"That guy, he's a different type of human being. He's serious, he takes everything too serious. We're kind of the opposite of each other," Moenoa said. "When I first met him I thought he was an ass, that he needed to lighten up. But we got to know each other and I found out he's a good guy, and I think his work ethic has rubbed off on me a little."

Not completely, though. Moenoa said he took three days off after the Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl win over UAB completed his UH career.

"Too many," he said yesterday. "But I've been working out steadily since."

Conditioning is the biggest issue for Moenoa, who dealt with weighty issues throughout his Hawaii career. He reported to fall camp last year in the best shape of his career. But he weighed in at 341 pounds on his 6-foot-1 1/2 inch frame Tuesday night.

He's hoping to play well tomorrow, and then get in better shape before UH's pro workout day. Moenoa is also in line as a possible late entry for the NFL combine.

Most scouts at this point don't expect Moenoa to be drafted, but his trump card could be versatility.

"He played several spots on the line in college, and he's a big, strong guy," an NFL scout said. "But he might not be a tackle in the pros, and interior guys are not always a high priority. The weight is also a factor."

Moenoa said the CFL is an option for him.

"I feel like the options are wide open right now," he said.

Fuga was measured at 6- 1/2 inch and 293 pounds on Tuesday. Defensive tackles with his size and athleticism are not easy to find, and some scouts consider him a sleeper who has a good chance of being drafted in the late rounds.

"Lui is interesting because he's got quickness and ability to penetrate. He has lateral quickness and quick hands," another scout said. "I like his personality and competitiveness."

The hands that one scout sees as quick are judged "raw" by another.

"You could see that in one-on-ones, but he can develop technique," the second scout said. "He's not bad athletically, there's something there with him. And the position he plays helps him. Nose tackles and 3 techniques are hard to find."

Fuga suffered an injury-plagued career at UH, but he played through many of his ailments. He said his knee, ankle and shoulder woes are all behind him.

"I'm strong, I'm straight. Nothing's holding me back," Fuga said.