Games Wednesday
(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion)
7:30 a.m. – Ateneo vs UE (U16)
9:30 a.m. – UP vs AdU (U16)
12 p.m. – Ateneo vs UE (women’s)
2 p.m. – Ateneo vs UE (men’s)
4:30 p.m. – UP vs AdU (men’s)
7 p.m. – UP vs AdU (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
Reigning titlist University of the Philippines was visibly shaken after being bludgeoned by host University of Santo Tomas, 87-67, over the weekend.
And the only way to get its confident swagger back is to win big time against Adamson as the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament resumes on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
For sure, it won’t be easy as the Falcons are also aching to restore its confidence back after a narrow 60-58 defeat to La Salle.
With both UP and Adamson targeting their first win of the season, expect a wild and exciting finish in their 4:30 p.m. showdown.
Expected to share the limelight is Ateneo which is shooting for a 2-0 start against University of the East at 2 p.m.
The Fighting Maroons need to set aside the unpleasant start if they are to barge into the win column – same thing for the Falcons.
Head coach Goldwin Monteverde couldn’t help but air his frustrations after State U suffered a beatdown to the Growling Tigers. But he is looking at a brighter side and is hoping their setback would serve as a valuable lesson.
“This is not naman yung way na gusto namin mag-start ‘yong season. I guess playing as a team, we need to improve on that,” said Monteverde as he expects another hard test against a team out to make a statement this season.
“Sometimes ‘yong mga gantong tough losses, it will really push us to work together and to work harder and try to improve more as a team,” the two-time UAAP champion mentor added.
Apart from UP’s porous defensive patterns, rookie Noy Remogat – the player the management envisioned to lead the Diliman-based squad following the exit of several key players notably JD Cagulangan – proved to be a disappointment.
The transferee from UE was held to a dismal five points.
Remogat must play smartly and consistently, and so are veterans Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, Gerry Abadiano, and Mark Belmonte for UP to notch their win.
Emboldened by a thrilling 86-83 win over Far Eastern University, the Blue Eagles are heavily favored against the Warriors who are nursing absorbed a 72-57 setback to National University.
Out to lead the Tab Baldwin-mentored Ateneo are Jared Bahay and Kymani Ladi, while UE needs an extraordinary performance from Precious Momowei to prevail.
“And if we want to be there slugging it out with the top teams at the end and not just showing up to be at the party, then we’ve got to learn and we’ve got to learn fast,” said Baldwin.
Meanwhile, women’s basketball competitions begin with the Ateneo-UE tussle at 12 p.m. and the UP-Adu duel at 7 p.m.
While in the juniors division, Ateneo meets UE at 7:30 a.m., while UP squares off with Adamson at 9:30 a.m.
