Games Saturday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
2 pm – UE vs NU
6:30 pm – La Salle vs Ateneo
By MARK REY MONTEJO
Defending champion La Salle and Ateneo try to whip up a storm of their own inside the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, Oct. 26, as the two proud teams re-ignite their rivalry in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
Weather-permitting, game time is set at 6:30 p.m. with the Archers looking to stretch their winning streak to seven games against an Ateneo side that is also on a roll, having won its last two games.
Of the six losses the Blue Eagles incurred in the first round, none was more painful than their 74-61 setback to the Archers last Sept. 15, making today’s game a must-see as the Katipunan-based squad is out for retribution no less.
Even La Salle coach Topex Robinson, despite his team holding the best record of 9-1and the way they manhandled the Eagles the last time, is looking for a wild and exciting finish.
“It will never change, you know. Whether where you are now right now, your standing, you just forget everything because it’s gonna be Ateneo. So we know that they are coming off a good run. Their guys are really picking up the system, the staff are doing good, with coach Tab’s. So there’s always gonna be excitement. You play one of the best programs and there is so much history in this,” Robinson said.
But before their much-awaited clash, the UE Red Warriors aim to strengthen their Final Four bid when they square off against the NU Bulldogs (2-7) at 2 p.m.
One thing going for the Archers is that they will troop to the venue emboldened by a 70-45 romp of Adamson (3-6) in their last contest.
In that win, Kevin Quiambao produced numbers befitting his status as the reigning MVP, with Mike Phillips, Joshua David, Henry Agunnane and Raven Gonzales providing the much-needed help.
Ateneo, which outsteadied UST (4-6), 67-64, right in Tigers’ den last weekend, will be spearheaded anew by Andrew Bongo, Ian Espinosa, Shawn Tuano, Chris Koon and Jared Bahay.
Out to lead UE, whose game against the UP Maroons on Wednesday was cancelled, are Precious Momowei, John Abate, Gjerard Wilson, Wello Lingolingo and Rainer Maga.
The Warriors need to get back from a 77-68 defeat to the Green Archers two weeks ago if they are to improve their 5-3 mark.
However, the Bulldogs are obviously hungrier than ever after suffering their seventh loss – a 65-59 heartbreaker to the FEU Tamaraws.
