Games today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
9 a.m. — Ateneo vs FEU (w)
11 a.m. — UP vs UST (w)
2 p.m. — Ateneo vs FEU (m)
4 p.m. — UP vs UST (m)
Unbeaten University of the Philippines is in for another challenging day after barely escaping an upset in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.
Although fancied to get their fifth win over the cellar-dweller University of Santo Tomas side, the Fighting Maroons know they can’t let their guards down when they battle the Growling Tigers today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After all, UP almost received a dent to its perfect record the last time out against another listless squad.
“In this UAAP Season 86, there is no weak team. Even if they’re in last place for now we will take them seriously. We just have to be ready,” said reigning Most Valuable Player Malick Diouf, who will be the focal point of the Fighting Maroons’ offense and defense in the 4 p.m. scheduled match.
UP collected four straight wins to keep its tight hold of the solo lead as the only remaining undefeated team in the tournament.
But the Fighting Maroons had to repulse a tough-fighting Far Eastern University in an 80-76 overtime escape last Wednesday to emerge unscathed.
UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon could only hope his wards learned their lesson in the previous match and avoid taking the winless Tigers lightly or they would get bit.
“As coach Gold (Monteverde) always says (as the season progresses) every game is always a chance for us to improve. Coming into the fourth game, there were some things that we wanted to emphasize. Some are successful, some are not but it’s a part of our growth as a team,” he said.
“So, it’s very important as a team for the players to reflect on what we do both offensively and defensively, so, heading to our next game we’ll be able to apply those things,” Luanzon added as he rued UP’s season-worst 21 turnovers in the last match.
Diouf, who had another double-double of 11 points and 20 rebounds last game, will have Francis Lopez, CJ Cansino and Janjan Felicilda to back him up.
Despite going empty-handed in four matches, UST assistant coach Japs Cuan refused to think that the Tigers’ campaign is heading south once again after a disappointing run last year.
Cuan said UST remains positive it could pull off a morale-boosting upset even if it is coming off a demoralizing 69-87 loss to National University last Wednesday.
“I don’t think it’s the right time to press the panic button because honestly, I still believe in the team and the players,” Cuan, who helped UST win its last title in 2006 under returning head coach Pido Jarencio, said.
However, to barge into the win column, the Tigers would have to be on the same page to help workhorses Christian Manaytay and Nic Cabanero.
Meanwhile, defending champion Ateneo de Manila University shoots for back-to-back wins in a showdown against lowly FEU at 2 p.m.
The Blue Eagles beat University of the East, 76-69, to tie their victim at fourth to sixth with 2-2 win-loss cards along with idle Adamson University.
In women’s play, UP stakes its pristine 4-0 record against UST (3-1) at 11 a.m.
Facing off in the 9 a.m. curtain-raiser are Ateneo (3-1) and FEU (2-2).
