ATENEO wants to move closer to achieving what defending champion University of the Philippines realized two days ago — gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
To do that, the Blue Eagles must first hurdle the Fighting Maroons tomorrow in the 85th UAAP basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The match is set at 6:30 p.m. after La Salle tries to boost its semifinals bid against University of the East at 3 o’clock.
Ditto with Adamson University, tied with the Green Archers with a 6-6 record, when it clashes with National University in the curtain-raiser at 11 a.m.
Eliminated teams Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas collide at 1 o’clock.
“Sometimes, winning ugly is not necessarily the way that you wanna win, but it’s just as valuable in the standings,” Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said after his wards held off the Red Warriors 69-66 in overtime to clinch a postseason berth last Wednesday. “The standings are extremely important right now with the other results.
“Everybody is very mindful of the standings, and it seems like every game takes a greater significance with the changing landscape of the standings. We’re really happy to get that win,” he added.
UP mangled the Growling Tigers 78-60 the last time out that hiked its mark to 11-2 and will rely on the likes of Carl Tamayo, James Spencer, 6-foot-11 Senegalese import Malick Diouf, Zavier Lucero, and JD Cagulangan.
With a 9-3 card, the Eagles will pin their hopes on naturalized Filipino center and reigning MVP Ange Kouame, Dave Ildefonso, Kai Ballungay, BJ Andrade, and Forthsky Padrigao.
The Maroons edged Ateneo 76-71 in OT when they first met last Oct. 16.
“It’s nice again to put ourselves in a good position,” Adamson tactician Nash Racela said. “At least we were able to control things that we can control. Buhay pa rin. Buhay pa rin kami.”
The Falcons sent the Tamaraws packing with a 75-70 decision two days ago to stay in the hunt in the Final Four chase.
