WITHOUT a preseason tourney where they could have sized up the opposition, coach Tab Baldwin of reigning three-time champion Ateneo said his team is instead using sheer hard work to complete another perfect campaign.
“Honestly, I don’t have expectations because we just weren’t able to have a sort of preseason that we like to have, so for me, there’s a lot of uncertainties coming into the season with our team,” Baldwin said after the Blue Eagles overpowered the Adamson University Soaring Falcons 91-57 that hiked their record to 12-0 two days ago.
“I think the players felt it too, and they have worked. I’m sure all the teams, right? I think we’re all in the same boat, of course, with the bubble and the compressed schedule but the players have really worked tirelessly,” he added.
Ateneo tries to move closer to an outright finals slot when it tackles streaking Far Eastern University today in the 84th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The match is set at 4:30 p.m. before University of the Philippines, like Ateneo assured of a top two incentive in the Final Four, guns for its third straight win when it takes on also-ran University of Santo Tomas in the nightcap at 7 p.m.
La Salle seeks to solidify its hold of solo third and snap out of its funk when it battles Adamson University at 12:30 o’clock.
National University clashes with winless University of the East in the curtain-raiser at 10 a.m.
The likes of Dave Ildefonso, 6-foot-10 naturalized Filipino center Ange Kouame, BJ Andrade, SJ Belangel, Tyler Tio, and Raffy Verano are expected to lead the Eagles’ bid to extend their unbeaten run to 39-0 since 2018.
The Tamaraws have notched three straight triumphs for an even 6-6 card, counting a 67-62 decision over the Green Archers last Tuesday.
“It’s gonna be a tall order. Mahirap kalaban, hindi pa natatalo ang Ateneo pero bilog ang bola ‘di ba sabi nga nila?” posed FEU tactician Olsen Racela. “So, we’re gonna ride on this momentum and iyong confidence level that we have right now, susubukan natin.”
RJ Abarrientos, L-Jay Gonzales, Xyrus Torres, and Emman Ojuola will be counted upon by the Tams.
Ateneo held off FEU 79-70 in their first-round duel last March 29.
The Fighting Maroons will go into the game on a high, having scored an 81-68 ripping of the Red Warriors also last Tuesday.
UP will rely on Carl Tamayo, Zavier Lucero, Ricci Rivero, Maodo Malick Diouf, CJ Cansino, and Joel Cagulangan in its attempt to improve its 10-2 slate.
