Games Saturday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
7:30 a.m. – UE vs La Salle (16U)
9:30 a.m. – UST vs Adamson (16U)
11:30 a.m. – Adamson vs UE (women’s)
1:30 p.m. – Adamson vs UE (men’s)
4:30 p.m. – La Salle vs UST (men’s)
7 p.m. – La Salle vs UST (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of Santo Tomas is out to prove that its first-round win over La Salle was no fluke when they clash anew in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday, Oct. 25.
Still reeling from a 69-59 loss to Adamson that snapped their three-game winning run the Growling Tigers are expected to go all-out in their 4:30 p.m. showdown.
While the Tigers are coming off a painful loss, the Archers will troop to the massive arena with supreme confidence following an inspiring 72-69 win over the reigning titlist University of the Philippines.
For sure, that will give the Archers an added fuel in their desire to avenge their 93-83 loss to the Tigers last last Sept. 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Clashing in the other men’s action at 1:30 p.m. are the Soaring Falcons and University of the East Red Warriors.
Touted as one of the title favorites, the España-based squad, which is currently at second spot with a 5-2 card just behind leader National University (6-2), needs to turn its last game’s heartbreak into a power when it goes for two in a row against the ballers from Taft.
And Nic Cabañero must produce another splendid showing for the Pido Jarencio’s boys to able to pull off such an improbable task with support from Forthsky Padrigao, Collins Akowe, Gelo Crisostomo, Mark Llemit, Amiel Acido, and Kyle Paranada.
“The darkest part of the game was when we were down by [12], but you saw that UST last year is not the same as this year. Medyo mas confident na kami dito sa laro na ‘to,” said UST assistant coach Peter Martin in their first encounter with La Salle.
That loss ended the Green Archers’ 16-game winning streak over the Tigers which started way back in Season 78 in 2015.
Though, for sure, it wasn’t the only reason why La Salle aimed to strike back at UST. Because, a triumph could hike the Archers’ record to 5-3 which will strengthen their hold at fourth spot.
“We cannot look at the whole piece of the pie right now, but just try to look for who’s in front of us,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson. “We’re still lot of work to do.”
With Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan still out with injuries, Mike Phillips and Jacob Cortez have to continue playing heads-up game if they intend to get back at the Tigers.
But they also need additional fireworks from Luis Pablo, EJ Gollena, Earl Abadam, and Vhoris Marasigan – all played significantly against the Maroons.
Meanwhile, Adamson hopes to rev up its Final Four drive against a UE side raring to end its seven-game losing skid.
Holding a 3-4 tally, the Falcons will again rely on AJ Fransman, Cedrick Manzano, Ray Allen Torres, and Matt Montebon.
Precious Momowei and John Abate should work doubly hard as the Warriors will be playing minus head coach Chris Gavina and Wello Lingolingo for the second straight game.
In the women’s division, UST and La Salle cap the six-game schedule for the day at 7 p.m. with the former shooting for an eight consecutive victory. Adamson and UE kickstart the matches in the distaff side at 11:30 a.m.
Rising stars from U16 class ignite the morning with matches featuring UE-La Salle (7:30 a.m.) and UST-Adamson (9:30 a.m.)
