UNSCATHED leader Ateneo de Manila seeks to tighten its grip of the top spot when it eyes its fourth win in a row against the winless University of the East (UE) in Season 80 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball action today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
They will take the floor at the 2 p.m. curtain raiser of the doubleheader, with the Blue Eagles trying to extend their surge to four games, while the Red Warriors hoping to end their 0-3 slump.
Ateneo, led by Thirdy Ravena’s versatile numbers with 18 points, nine rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, has been a well-oiled wrecking machine with a winning margin of 17.6 points per in their first three wins against Adamson, University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University.
But coaches Sandy Arespacochaga and Tab Baldwin doesn’t want the Blue Eagles to look back on those big wins and focus on their philosophy of one game at a time bracing for a hungrier Red Warriors, who will try to breakout from their three-game misery.
“Still a long way to go. Our philosophy has been looking at games one game at a time. We’re still going to do that so our minds are focused on UE,” said Arespacochaga, who also leans on the balanced-contributions from Chiz Ikeh, Anton Asistio, Isaac Go, Mike and Matt Nieto, Aaron Black, Tyler Tio and Rafael Verano.
Meanwhile, National University (NU) and Adamson University, who had contrasting results in their previous matches last Wednesday, clash to improve their records at 4 p.m.
The Bulldogs survived the tough challenge from UST and escaped, 94-84, while the Soaring Falcons failed to complete their comeback, falling at the helm of defending champion De La Salle, 85-73.
National U eyes its second straight win to improve its 2-1 record, while Adamson tries to bounce back for its 1-2 slate.
“Well, it’s gonna be tough. Adamson is one of the darkhorses coming into UAAP Season 80, and they have a very good coach in Franz Pumaren,” said NU Head Coach Jamike Jarin, who pins his hopes on Issa Gaye, Dave Yu, Jay Alejandro, Matt Salem, Manuel Mosqueda and Jordan Barlett. “This is going to be interesting. It’s gonna be hard, it’s gonna be tough. They have a lot of athletic players coming in, and it’s gonna be very interesting. We need to have our A-game again to get a victory.”
Pumaren hopes to draw a better performance from his wards, led by Papi Sarr, Sean Manganti, Robbie Manalang, Kurt Lojera, Jerrie Pingoy and Jerrick Ahanmisi.
Image credits: Stephanie Tumampos