By MARK REY MONTEJO
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – UE vs FEU
6:30 p.m. – UP vs NU
University of the Philippines aims to preserve its unscathed record as it squares off with National University in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
Game time is set at 6:30 p.m. with the Maroons out to extend their winning streak to three games that would tie them with frontrunner and defending champion La Salle.
Clashing in the opening game at 4:30 are University of East and Far Eastern University with both teams determined to notch their first win after failed bids in their first two games.
Runners up the past two editions, the Goldwin Monteverde-mentored Maroons expectedly played with passion, scoring a 77-71 win over rival Ateneo in the opener before drubbing the Warriors, 81-71.
Despite their runaway wins, UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said there are still lots of things to improve on and that could be a warning for the Bulldogs who split their first two assignments.
“Every game is a teaching moment for us. As coach Goldwin (Monteverde) says, each game, we should show improvement, not just during the off-season,” said Luanzon. “This game will help us move forward as we clean up some things.”
The Maroons should take the Bulldogs seriously since the latter are coming off an impressive 62-60 win over the Tamaraws.
The Bulldogs could have won their opening game against the Archers but reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao hit a dagger three in the crunch to frustrate the Sampaloc-based squad.
The State U will once again bank on its stars in cat-quick guard JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon and high-flying forward Francis Lopez, who looked like in a slam dunk contest the last time as he delighted their supporters with monstrous dunks.
Aside from the trio, UP also boasts of solid frontcourt crew in super-rookie Quentin Millora-Brown, Dikachi Ududo, Sean Alter and Gani Stevens, who are all ready to cover the paint.
The Bulldogs are the clear underdog in terms of height but they have players capable of scoring in bunches like Jake Figueroa, PJ Palacielo and the exciting Steve Nash Enriquez.
FEU mentor Sean Chambers is looking to savor the sweet taste of victory as a coach, having scored big wins as import for Alaska in the PBA.
