Games today
(Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. – UE vs NU (Women)
10 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU (Women)
12 noon – UP vs UST (Women)
2 p.m. – FEU vs Ateneo (Men)
4:30 p.m. – NU vs UP (Men)
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – FEU-D vs Ateneo (JHS Boys)
10 a.m. – NUNS vs UPIS (JHS Boys)
12 noon – AdU vs UE (JHS Boys)
2 p.m. – DLSZ vs UST (JHS Boys)
4 p.m. – FEU vs Ateneo (Women)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University is out to avenge the lone setback it suffered in the first round when it takes on University of the Philippines as the second-round action begins in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Oct. 22.
The Bulldogs absorbed a 66-59 loss to the Fighting Maroons the first time they clashed but they bowed to play as hard and passionate as they can to get even and cement their hold of the solo lead.
Match is at 4:30 p.m. with the Bulldogs ready to showcase the form that sparked their rise to the top at the end of the first round.
It will come right after the 2 p.m. duel between Ateneo and Far Eastern University.
Riding the crest of their three-game winning streak, NU head coach Jeff Napa is naturally upbeat heading into the second round of competitions although the teams know it cannot afford to be complacent.
“So I’m happy for them, for their decisions inside the court. Hopefully, coming to the second round, mas taasan pa namin ‘yong [level] ng approach namin [lalo na sa final stretch],” said Napa.
“Hindi kami pwede mag-relax sa mga next games namin, talagang mas susubukan pa namin maging maayos,” echoed Jake Figueroa who keyed the Bulldogs’ 71-66 escape of the Blue Eagles.
The 23-year-old forward is embracing the leadership role bestowed to him, particularly being the go-to guy in the waning minutes that was one of the keys in the Bulldogs’ success so far.
The Minalin, Pampanga native seeks to lead NU to its fourth straight and seventh overall win with his reliable allies in Francisco, Omar John, Steve Nash Enriquez, Jolo Manansala, and Gelo Santiago.
UP, for its part, tries to reaffirm its mastery against the promising NU side as well as to break the three-way tie with Ateneo and De La Salle University in the standings.
With Noy Remogat, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Francis Nnoruka, and Gani Stevens, who starred in their previous win over NU, leading the charge, the Maroons look to bounce back from their 72-69 loss to the Green Archers last Sunday.
