DEFENDING champion De La Salle, fresh off a hard-fought victory over National University last Sunday, will face Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 collegiate men’s basketball tournament today (Wednesday) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:30 p.m., with both teams aiming for their second consecutive win.
The Green Archers are aware that the Soaring Falcons remain strong Final Four contenders. De La Salle, looking to secure its first back-to-back championship since winning four in a row from 1998 to 2001, will need to maintain their winning momentum.
The Green Archers clinched their latest victory with a dramatic 78-75 come-from-behind win against the Bulldogs, thanks to clutch plays from Kevin Quiambao.
Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson emphasized the importance of focusing on the present rather than defending their title.
“We decided last season that we wanna win the championship and it’s given to us now so we know the responsibility of being the previous champions and we kinda take that out of our vocabulary, we’re not defending anything right now,” Robinson said.
He added, “In Season 87 every team has a chance to really win it. We’re just here to really attack the season and see where our courage, our understanding of each other, our trust, our love for each other throughout the season is gonna take us.”
Adamson, meanwhile, overcame a sluggish start to spoil Sean Chambers’ coaching debut for Far Eastern University with a 59-47 win.
Falcons head coach Nash Racela acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to a new season.
“Sana (hindi na bad start) pero just like what I told you, I didn’t really know what to expect coming into the game,” Racela said.
He also noted, “Siguro ganon din sa mga susunod na games, it’s really up to the players. They get a lot of freedom but at the same time, may responsibility that comes with it.”
On the other side, University of Santo Tomas (UST) is aiming for its second straight victory against Ateneo in the 6:30 p.m. game.
The Growling Tigers showed their potential with a commanding 70-55 win over University of the East. Mali’s Mo Tounkara and transferee Forthsky Padrigao played pivotal roles in that win.
Padrigao, who will face his former team for the first time, previously won a Season 85 championship with the Blue Eagles before moving to España.
Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance.
“Happy ako dito sa first game namin, ito yung breakout gam namin eh. Basta sabi ko makuha lang namin ito, yung confidence tataas,” Jarencio said.
He also highlighted the team’s preparedness, noting, “Kami naman well prepared kami kasi yung mga assistant coach ko scouting coach yun sa mga teams nila eh katulad si Coach Peter (Martin) nagscout yan sa San Miguel, si Coach Juno (Sauler) ganon din, si Coach Jaren (Jarencio) ganon din sa Northport kaya well-scouted, well-prepared kami.”
Ateneo, which opened its season with a 61-77 loss to University of the Philippines last Saturday, will look to bounce back and match UST’s two-win output from last year.
Chris Koon remains a doubtful starter due to a sprained ankle sustained late in the first half against the Fighting Maroons.
In the women’s division, UST will seek its second consecutive win against Ateneo at 11:30 a.m., while Adamson aims to secure a 2-0 record in the 1:30 p.m. match against De La Salle.
Also on tap are the junior high school fixtures between De La Salle-Zobel and Adamson at 8 a.m., and UST and Ateneo at 9:45 a.m.
Games Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – AdU vs DLSZ (JHS)
9:45 a.m. – UST vs Ateneo (JHS)
11:30 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU (Women)
1:30 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Women)
4:30 p.m. – AdU vs DLSU (Men)
6:30 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Men)
