League-leader Adamson University tries to close out the first round with a bang when it battles De La Salle University on Saturday in Season 81 University Athletic Association (UAAP) men’s basketball action at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The match is set at 4 p.m. with the vengeful Soaring Falcons (5-1 won-lost) eyeing a quick rebound from their 85-88 loss to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws last week to keep the top spot heading into the second round.
University of the East (1-5) and National University (5-1) shoot for much-needed victories in the first game at 2 p.m.
Flawless in its first five games, the San Marcelino-based squad was sent crashing back to earth by a rampaging FEU crew in an overtime thriller last Saturday for its maiden loss in the tournament.
That stunning defeat dragged the Soaring Falcons from achieving a first-round sweep.
But instead of getting discouraged, Head Coach Franz Pumaren remained confident that the loss would only lift the Soaring Falcons to greater heights entering the second round.
“It’s just a learning experience for us. That’s the type of game that will make us a better team down the road,” he said.
And the Soaring Falcons remained on top of the standings for a golden chance of extending their gap over FEU (5-2) and Ateneo (5-2).
Pumaren will bank on his prized sniper Jerrick Ahanmisi, whose 21 points went down the drain in a close call to the Tamaraws.
Tipped to support Ahanmisi are Sean Manganti, who had 20 points, and Papi Sarr, who tallied a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds in the loss.
But Adamson University’s bounce-back bid would be easier said than done, especially with the Final Four hopeful Green Archers standing in their way.
Also coming off a 55-71 defeat to rival Ateneo, the Taft-based team (3-3) are expected to come out with an added fire to solidify their hold of fourth spot, as University of Santo Tomas (3-4) and University of the Philippines (3-4) are just lurking behind at fifth and sixth place, respectively.