Ateneo out to keep UAAP record clean as 2nd round begins

Tempo Desk
3 Min Read
THIRDY Ravena

Ateneo is out to protect its pristine record when it faces dangerous University of Santo Tomas today at the start of the second-round eliminations in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball tournament.

Thirdy Ravena tries to score against a UST defender.
Thirdy Ravena tries to score against a UST defender.

Match is at 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena with the Blue Eagles staking their 7-0 slate.

Despite their flawless record, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin seems not yet contended as he looks forward to seeing a more aggressive and consistent showing from his players.

“We try to stay focused forward, not backward,” he said. “Right now, we have a lot of basketball ahead of us in a short period of time so we don’t have the luxury to take a breath and you know, talk about any accomplishments. In our eyes, there aren’t any accomplishments yet.”

Baldwin expects to toughen up their defensive against an offense-minded Tigers loaded with sharp shooters in Renz Abando, Mark Nonoy and Renzo Subido.

In their first meeting last Sept. 11, Ateneo experienced some scary moments before pulling a 71-70 thriller.

Thirdy Ravena and Ange Kouame will again spearhead the team’s onslaught along with Matt Nieto and Will Navarro – the same guys who sparked the team to an 89-63 demolition of the University of the Philippines last Sunday.

UST, for its part, seeks a different outcome from its previous meeting against Ateneo to improve its 4-3 record at third.

The Tigers needed to regain their old fiery form after ending their first-round campaign with a 92-77 loss to the La Salle Archers.

University of the East and Adamson clash at 2 p.m. with both teams out to boost their respective semis bids.

The Warriors tote a 2-5 mark following a morale-boosting 78-72 triumph over the National University Bulldogs while the Falcons are on a three-way tie in the middle standings at 3-4 after yielding to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws 83-71. (Kristel Satumbaga)

Standings

Ateneo 7-0

UP 5-2

UST 4-3

Adamson 3-4

FEU 3-4

La Salle 3-4

UE 2-5

NU 1-6

 

Games Today

(Mall of Asia Arena)

2 p.m. – UE vs Adamson

4 p.m. – Ateneo vs UST

 

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