ATENEO guns for a 13th straight win while University of Santo Tomas seeks a playoff for the fourth semifinal berth today in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Blue Eagles clash with the already eliminated National University Bulldogs at 2 p.m. before the Tigers battle also-ran Adamson Falcons at 4 p.m.
A victory for Ateneo would inch them a win closer to sweeping the double-round eliminations for an outright finals ticket, but coach Tab Baldwin wants his stalwarts to focus on the game ahead instead.
“We’re just thinking about NU,” he said. “For any team in this position – things like undefeated seasons, sweeps – they happen because you take it one step at a time, not because you make some grand statement about how good you are.”
“Sport is about performance, not about bragging about performance, so we’re very much focused on what our next performance is gonna be.”
Baldwin was delighted with the way his boys played the last time especially on the offensive end that saw them score a massive 84-50 win over the University of the East Warriors.
In that game, the Blue Eagles drained 14 triples to eliminate the Warriors.
For NU, it will be all about trying to end their last two games on a high note.
The Bulldogs are out of semis contention with a 2-10 card at the bottom.
Meanwhile, UST tries to regain its bearings after a stinging 80-79 loss to De La Salle that cost them an early semis entry.
Now, the Tigers had to thread through the eye of the needle to make it to the next phase with four teams battling for the three Final Four tickets.
UST is currently tied with Far Eastern University at third to fourth places with 7-6, while University of the Philippines is at second with 8-4. La Salle is at fifth with 6-6.
Like NU, Adamson is also eager to play the spoiler’s role. (Kristel Satumbaga)
