By NIKOLE JAVIER
Ateneo and La Salle seek to bounce back at the expense of each other as they collide in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Just like the Archers, the Blue Eagles have two missions in their 6:30 p.m. duel in what could be the end of their chapter their season.
The Eagles want to get back on the winning track following a shock 78-74 defeat to National University Bulldogs last Nov. 2 that dropped them to third in the team standings with a 5-3 card.
The Eagles are also eager to get back at the Archers who emerged victorious, 83-78, the first time they clashed this season.
The Archers, on the other, are eager to stop their bleeding after losing their last three games for a 3-5 slate, thus putting their semis bid in peril.
After playing shorthanded against Far Eastern University Tamaraws that resulted to a 57-53 defeat, the Archers need to play extra sharp or with a sense of urgency if they are to revive their flickering semis hope.
The presence of Most Valuable Player top candidate Schonny Winston, who was sidelined due to calf injury, will be crucial for the Archers as they attempt to keep a spot in the Final Four.
In the curtain-raiser, defending champion University of the Philippines which preserved the solo lead at 8-1 will vie for its ninth win against University of the East (4-5).
Both teams are coming off big wins, but the Fighting Maroons are slightly favored against the Red Warriors in their 11 a.m. clash.
In the next play, Adamson has some bone to pick when they face University of Santo Tomas in their 1 p.m. collision.
In the league’s opening tipoff, the Growling Tigers (1-7), who picked up their lone win in eight outings against the Soaring Falcons last Oct. 1, are hoping for a repeat.
Adamson (3-5), which was plagued by untimely injuries to its top guys in Jerom Lastimosa and Vince Magbuhos who were both stretchered out of the court, is determined to exact vengeance.
Meanwhile, National University (6-3), will bank on its inspiring first win over Ateneo in six years when it tangles with the streaking Far Eastern Univesity at 3 p.m.
