Undefeated Ateneo looking to take care of business
Defending champion Ateneo aims to move closer to an elimination-round sweep—and an outright finals berth—as it takes on already-eliminated National U on Saturday in UAAP Season 82 basketball tournament at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Blue Eagles are gunning for their 13th victory of the season in the 2 p.m. duel with the Bulldogs, who are looking to finally deal Ateneo its first defeat of the season.
But that will be easier said than done as the Eagles have found a response to every challenge the field has thrown at them this year with veterans Thirdy Ravena, Mike and Matt Nieto and sophomore Ange Kouame spearheading the charge.
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said his team cannot look past the Bulldogs even with their record and the prospect of an elimination round sweep.
“We’re just thinking about NU,” said Baldwin, whose team still has to face University of the Philippines on Wednesday at MOA Arena. “Hopefully we’ll be prepared and they will be the center of our attention and we’ll take care of business.”
The second game at 4 p.m. pits University of Santo Tomas and Adamson in a clash that will have a huge implication on the Tigers’ Final Four aspirations—and the other teams still chasing semifinal berths.
Tied with Far Eastern U with a 7-6 record, the Growling Tigers need a victory to assure themselves of at least a playoff for a Final Four spot. University of the Philippines (8-4) and La Salle (7-6), which will square off on Sunday, are also in the thick of the fight for postseason spots.
With a season littered with heartbreaking losses, the Falcons are in no mood to give the Tigers favors as Jerrick Ahanmisi and Val Chauca have vowed to finish the campaign strong following a spate of crucial defeats in the second round.
UST is looking to bounce back from a 79-80 loss to La Salle on Wednesday in a game where Rhenz Abando nearly completed the comeback with a desperation shot at the buzzer. Abando’s foot however grazed the line, paving the way for the Green Archers to escape with a narrow triumph.
The Bulldogs have suffered close defeats this season and at times, play better than their 2-10 record has indicated. Coach Jamike Jarin’s charges came close to stunning UP on Wednesday only for the Bulldogs’ late run to fall short in a 77-80 defeat.