DEFENDING champion University of the Philippines saw its seven-game winning run end courtesy of La Salle 80-82 three days ago that derailed the Fighting Maroons’ bid for a top two finish rewarded with a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.
Whether UP could lick its wounds fast and recover will be known when it battles hapless University of Santo Tomas today in the 85th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The curtain-raiser is set at 11 a.m. before National University tries to boost its drive for a Final Four reward when it faces the Green Archers at 1 p.m.
Ateneo takes on University of the East at 4:30 before Far Eastern University tackles Adamson University at 6:30.
With a 9-2 mark, the Maroons will count on the likes of Carl Tamayo, James Spencer, 6-foot-11 Senegalese import Malick Diouf, Zavier Lucero, and JD Cagulangan.
The Growling Tigers have lost 10 straight for a 1-10 slate, counting a 67-57 setback to the Bulldogs last Sunday.
Nic Cabañero, Adama Faye, and Miguel Pangilinan will lead the way for UST.
UP ripped the Tigers 76-61 when they first met last Oct. 22.
“Hindi lang Final Four ang iniisip namin. We’re looking forward to the goal we want to achieve so ito iyong simula ng story na gusto naming tapusin,” NU coach Jeff Napa said.
“Ever since hindi ako nasa-satisfy. Kahit nandito kami sa ganitong sitwasyon, magsisi-sigaw pa rin ako, magwawala pa rin ako.
Ako iyong hindi naku-kontento na tao hangga’t alam ko na may ibubuga pa iyong players ko.
“Alam kong may maibibigay pa players ko, talagang pipigain ko sila. Hindi lang naman dito sa basketball ang usapan namin, trina-translate namin in real life. Hopefully, kung ano iyong na-achieve namin, tuloy-tuloy sa goal na gusto namin,” he added.
Carrying a 9-3 card, the Bulldogs will lean on John Llyod Clemente, Omar John, Kean Baclaan, Michael Malonzo, and Steve Nash Enriquez.
La Salle, holding a 5-6 record in a tie with the Soaring Falcons for fourth, will pin its hopes on Kevin Quiambao, Michael and Benjamin Phillips, CJ Austria, Evan Nelle, and Mark Nonoy.
NU edged the Archers 80-76 in their first-round duel last Oct. 19.
