IN the second round, the Ateneo Blue Eagles are wary of two teams, the Adamson Falcons, and the National University Bulldogs.
Both are improving and will be dangerous as the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament progresses.
Coach Sandy Arespacochaga said this as the Blue Eagles get ready to meet the Falcons at 4 p.m. today at the Araneta Coliseum.
“A lot of teams are getting their groove. There’s Adamson, they had tough game in their last game. They are still starting to pick up like NU,” said Arespacochaga.
The Blue Eagles are seeking to extend their winning run to eight and keep the solo lead by hurdling the Falcons.
The Falcons are on a four-game winning streak, and a weeklong layoff after getting past the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 95-79.
They ended the first round with a 5-2 win-loss record, and the Falcons hope to catch up with the La Salle Green Archers in second, and that’s with a win over Ateneo.
Earlier, the NU Bulldogs take on the University of the East Warriors at 2 p.m.
The Bulldogs have just beaten the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 77-70. Peter Atencio
On the other hand, the Warriors want to extending their winning run to two as well, and after getting past University of Santo Tomas, 96-91.
Last Sunday, Matt Nieto made a crucial defensive stop for the Blue Eagles.
He knocked in two free throws with 3.9 seconds to play allowing Ateneo to get past the Green Archers.
Nieto got fouled after he came up with a deflection off an inbound pass by La Salle, which had a one-point lead. Peter Atencio
Games Saturday
(at the Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. UE vs NU
4 p.m. Ateneo vs Adamson