Ultimate UAAP duel begins with Ateneo seeking 3-peat; UST eyes Cinderella finish

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:29:57 +0000

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Games Saturday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

12 noon – UST vs FEU (women’s)

4 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (men’s)

Dynasty or a Cinderella story?

That’s what Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas are aspiring for as they begin their UAAP best-of-three title series Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

THIRDY Ravena (left) of Ateneo drives to the basket.

Match is at 4 p.m. with the Eagles looking to further boost their legacy as the most successful team the past three years while the Tigers are out to complete their Cinderella story, having beaten fancied teams like Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines on the way to advancing to the finals.

UST’s incredible run started when they beat the Maroons, 85-69, in the first round. The feat was no fluke as they scored an 84-78 in the second round before beating them for two consecutive games in the stepladder semis.

But can the Tigers extend their luck against a team that went undefeated in 14 games?

UST coach Aldin Ayo said there’s no harm in trying.

Their first meeting was a classic one as the Eagles won by only one point, 71-70. But in the second round, the Eagles won by a large margin, 66-52.

GIANT-KILLER: After bringing down a giant in Bright Akhueti (right)with his huge three the last time, UST’s Renzo Subido hopes to re-produce his magical performance against the Ateneo Eagles. (Rio Deluvio)

In the din of the team’s celebration following their 68-65 win over the Maroons, Ayo told his players to calm down, saying the war is far from over.

“Wala pa kaming naa-achieve,” he said. “This is not our main goal. So we have to refocus and prepare for our next game.”

The Tigers ought to work hard since the Eagles have long been battle ready.

Even Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin looks pretty contended with their preparation.

During their 16-day break – while the Tigers, Maroons and Tamaraws were busy plotting their strategies on how to cut each others’ throats – the Eagles were also preparing by playing against reigning NCAA champion San Beda University.

The Eagles also played against a PBA team – TNT KaTropa – in order to gain extra confidence.

And that made Baldwin more confident.

“I don’t have any doubt that we will fall off o
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