LEADERS Ateneo and Adamson University face separate foes on Saturday with hopes of widening their gap from the rest of the field in Season 81 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippine men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
First up are the Soaring Falcons (6-2 won-lost) against the De La Salle Green Archers (5-3) at 2 p.m. The Blue Eagles, also on top with a 6-2 card, take the floor next at 4 p.m. against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws (5-3).
Adamson University bounced back from two games down with a 69-58 win over National University last Wednesday to tie Ateneo atop the heap.
Jerrick Ahanmisi tallied 21 points, while Papi Sarr added 16 points and 10 rebounds to tow the Soaring Falcons to the easy win over the hapless Bulldogs.
Adamson University Head Coach Franz Pumaren acknowledged that the path toward the playoffs is going to be tougher.
“It’s like a pothole, we will still continue our journey. Along our ride, we will hit slight bumps,” Pumaren said.
Ateneo, meanwhile, wore down University of the Philippines, 83-66, last Sunday.
Thirdy Ravena provided the numbers with his 20 points, 10 rebounds and two steals for the Blue Eagles.
Tyler Tio chipped in 12 points and five assists, while Raffy Verano and Jolo Mendoza tallied 10 points apiece.
Out to pull off upsets are De La Salle and FEU.
The young but talent-laden University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers pulled off a massive triumph over the Tamaraws, 78-70, also last Sunday.
Arvin Tolentino was the only double-figure scorer from FEU with his 11 points that went with 11 rebounds. The Tamaraws dropped to their third match in eight games.
The Green Archers, on the other hand, handed the UE Red Warriors a lopsided 79-59 win last Wednesday.
Rookie guard Encho Serrano came up big with 18 points, Andrei Caracut contributed 16 markers and six boards, while Leonard Santillan and Justine Baltazar chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively.