DE La Salle seeks to formalize its Final Four entry as it tangles with Adamson University, while University of Santo Tomas tries to arrest a two-game slide at its home floor against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament today (Saturday).
The back-to-back title-seeking Green Archers seek to sew up their fourth consecutive Final Four stint in the 3:30 p.m. duel with the Falcons.
After opening the second round with back-to-back losses against last year’s finalists, the Growling Tigers hope to capitalize their advantage of playing at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in the 12 noon showdown with the Blue Eagles.
De La Salle currently holds a league-best 8-1 record, just half-a-game ahead of idle University of the Philippines, which has a 7-1 card, and has a five-game winning streak.
The Green Archers were coming off an 94-87 overtime win over the Growling Tigers Wednesday night to move closer in securing a place in the Final Four.
Sporting a 3-5 slate in fifth place, Adamson is just half-a-game behind of UST (4-5) in the race for the last Final Four slot.
The Falcons may have been beaten badly, 52-82, in their first round, but coach Topex Robinson has high respects with his counterpart Nash Racela as the Green Archers face another team fighting for a place in the Final Four.
“We know that Adamson is one of the best defensive teams in the league right now. Their numbers are really showing that, you know, they know how to play defense, again a well-coached program. So we just have to make sure that we come in prepared and confident, knowing that we have to do things also to give problems to Adamson,” said Robinson.
“Sa amin lang is we don’t really look on where we are right now. But we are focused on where we are headed. Iyun ang palagi naming iniisip. We cannot rest right now because these are the opportunities na baka pagsisihan namin sa huli. We know it’s gonna be a tough one on Saturday, we will try to be prepared, mentally and physically, especially that this is a 48-hour preparation,” he added.
The Growling Tigers cannot afford to drop games from now on. With Far Eastern University opening the second round with back-to-back wins and Ateneo trying to keep its Final Four streak alive, UST needs to step up its game.
Currently at 2-6, the Blue Eagles still have a chance of extending their Final Four streak to 10 seasons, as coach Tab Baldwin hopes that his young teams have learned the lessons of a tough first round.
“I am just really proud of them,” said Baldwin on his troops.
The Growling Tigers will miss Malian center Mo Tounkara, who is suspended after being thrown out in the fourth quarter due to two technical fouls against the Green Archers.
Women’s action returns, as titleholder UST tries to inch closer in advancing to the Final Four as it plays Ateneo at 10 a.m., while Adamson aims to get back on the winning track against De La Salle at 6:30 p.m.
Games Saturday
(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena)
8 a.m. – UST vs UPIS (JHS)
10 a.m. – Ateneo vs UST (Women)
12 noon – Ateneo vs UST (Men)
3:30 p.m. – AdU vs DLSU (Men)
6:30 p.m. – AdU vs DLSU (Women)
