Men’s basketball standings
Ateneo 4-0
UST 3-1
NU 3-1
La Salle 2-2
UP 2-2
FEU 1-3
Adamson 1-3
UE 0-4
Women’s basketball standings
UST 3-0
Ateneo 3-0
NU 2-1
UP 2-1
FEU 1-2
Adamson 1-2
La Salle 0-3
UE 0-3
Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
7:30 a.m. – NU vs Adamson (16U)
9:30 a.m. – Ateneo vs UP (16U)
12 p.m. – NU vs Adamson (women’s)
2 p.m. – NU vs Adamson (men’s)
4:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (men’s)
7 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
This time, expect the “Battle of Katipunan” to be as fierce and dramatic as before as reigning champion University of the Philippines and Ateneo are out to make statement wins in their first showdown in the UAAP Season 88 on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
For the Blue Eagles, they want to prove – for everyone to see – that they’re back in the business of winning having won their first four games of the season – the latest of which was an impressive was 81-74 win over their archrival La Salle Archers.
The Maroons, on the other hand, are looking to sustain their recovery after dropping their first two games and winning their next two, including a 66-59 come-from-behind triumph over erstwhile unbeaten National University
In all likelihood, their 4:30 p.m. duel should be a war of attrition where one can’t afford to give an inch or quarter as they both have important missions to accomplish.
Even veteran Ateneo mentor Tab Baldwin is anticipating not only a tight match but a rugged one.
“But we know that UP, it’s going to be a rugged game. It’s going to be two teams that…, UP fighting to get back into where they know that they belong, back into the top four and top four contention,” said Baldwin.
“And us trying to hold on to a really outstanding start to the season,” he added as Ateneo seeks to better their campaign last season where it ended with just four wins in 14 games.
And for the Maroons, it don’t matter who they are facing as UP is locked in to complete its title retention bid.
“Obviously, Ateneo is the only remaining team unbeaten and you know, but it doesn’t matter if it’s Ateneo or another team. We have time to prepare… and we’re gonna give them a fight,” said UP assistant Christian Luanzon.
Out to lead the fight for the Eagles are one-and-done players in Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, Divine Adili, and Jaden Lazo with Jared Bahay, Shawn Tuano, Wacki Espina, Josh Lazaro and Ian Espino providing the support.
UP, on the other hand, relies on mainstays Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, and Reyland Torres with Gani Stevens, Francis Nnorouka, and Noy Remogat as they target their third consecutive win.
Meanwhile, NU guns for a bounce back win against Adamson, which is also hungry to get back on the winning column.
Like the Bulldogs, the Falcons are also eager to get back on the winning track after absorbing a 64-58 setback to once winless Far Eastern University.
Steve Nash Enriquez looks to guide NU anew with Jake Figueroa and Omar John seeking to recover from their lackluster performances in their loss to UP, while Matt Montebon and Joshua Erolon will pace Adamson which is aching to stop a two-game skid.
In women’s basketball, NU tangles with Adamson at 12 noon, while Ateneo squares off with UP at 7 p.m. Morning games feature two 16U games, including a 7:30 a.m. face-off between NU and Adamson then it will be followed by Ateneo and UP which tip off at 9:30 a.m.
