ATENEO stakes its unbeaten record against hard luck National University today in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Blue Eagles seek their fifth straight win in their 2 p.m. tussle against the Bulldogs who are determined to end a string of misfortunes this time.
The Bulldogs lost by a point in three of four defeats, including a heart-rending 80-79 loss to the University of the Philippines Maroons last Wednesday.
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin hopes to see the result of their eight-day break where they did some fine-tuning to correct some flaws in their game.
Judging their 63-46 drubbing of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, the Eagles played almost great.
“We have a lot of issues, system-wise, that we have to resolve,” he said. “It’s going to be, you know, looking at our offense, trying to figure out how we can create the highest percentage shots that we can get.”
While Thirdy Ravena and Ange Kouame continue to provide the firepower, Baldwin is delighted with the efficiency churned out by Will Navarro each game.
Navarro has shown maturity as mirrored in the team’s first four wins.
For NU, it’s time to end the losing spell.
Brothers Dave and Shaun Ildefonso should raise their level of games a notch higher if they are to help their team chalk their first win.
For NU to win, coach Jamike Jarin should finds ways to squeeze the best out of
John Lloyd Clemente, Issa Gaye and RJ Minerva.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas tangle at 4 p.m. in a showdown between longtime rivals.
The Tamaraws is likely to draw strength from a 66-55 victory over the La Salle Archers four days back to improve their 2-2 card, while the Tigers aim to recover from a 78-71 loss to the Adamson Falcons.
The Tigers, who earlier stunned the Maroons, hold a 3-2 mark.
Wendell Comboy, Barkley Ebona and Pat Tchuente will carry the fight for FEU while UST hopes to get significant numbers from Rhenz Abando, Soulemane Chabi Yo and Renzo Subido. (Kristel Satumbaga)
