Men’s basketball standings
NU (10-2)
UP (8-3)
La Salle (6-4)
UST (6-5)
Ateneo (5-5)
Adamson (5-6)
FEU (4-7)
UE (0-12)
UE (0-12)
Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7:30 a.m. – UST vs Ateneo (16U)
9:30 a.m. – UE vs NU (16U)
11:30 a.m. – UE vs NU (women’s)
1:30 p.m. – UE vs NU (men’s)
4:30 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (men’s)
7 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University looks to clinch the first semifinal bonus while University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo are expected to go all-out in the exciting Final Four race in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Saturday, Nov. 15.
Riding a four-game winning streak, the rampaging Bulldogs (10-2) eye to not only stretch their winning ways against the still winless University of the East Red Warriors (0-12) but also earn the coveted twice-to-beat advantage in their 1:30 p.m. showdown.
It is followed by a crucial 4:30 p.m. clash between the No. 4 Growling Tigers (6-5) and the Blue Eagles (5-5) who are both raring to solidify their respective drive for a semis berth.
Though the Final Four bonus is within their grasp, NU head coach Jeff Napa knew full well that it is only the beginning of their title bid.
“Hindi parin kami ganun kami ka-satisfied kasi alam na namin papasok [na kami] ng last stretch… ‘yon nga merong challenge na ini-explain namin sa mga players,” said Napa.
“Ito ang challenge na kailangan abutin or next level na kailangan naming i-meet para ‘yong next stage na gusto naming mangyari [ay] magawa namin ng tama,” he added.
Jake Figueroa proved to be the go-to guy as he anchored NU back to the semis battleground after missing it last season when they fell to seventh place finish with a 5-9 card.
“Iniisip lang namin ‘yong last two elimination games namin, kasi sobrang importante nga para mataas ‘yong confidence namin sa semis, kung maka-chamba do’n makapasok sa finals,” said Figueroa
The 6-foot-3 versatile guard leads the pack that also has Steve Nash Enriquez, PJ Palacielo, Mark Parks, Paul Francisco, Reinhard Jumamoy, and Omar John while the winless UE side leans on Precious Momowei and Wello Lingolingo.
Meanwhile, UST and Ateneo, both hungry for a Final Four lift, are poised for another intense showdown following their triple-overtime thriller last Oct. 11, where the Tigers emerged victorious, 98-89, at the Blue Eagles Gym.
That classic game that needed three overtimes was the first in the Final Four era.
After ending its four-game slide with a 109-97 triumph over UE, the España-based squad aims to score a back-to-back win by reaffirming its mastery of Ateneo.
Expect Forthsky Padrigao, Nic Cabañero, and Collins Akowe at the forefront of the Pido Jarencio-mentored crew, while Jared Bahay, Shawn Tuano, Kymani Ladi, Divine Adili, Jaden Lazo, and Dom Escobar spearhead the fight for the Tab Baldwin’s boys.
In women’s action, UST shoots for its 12th straight victory against Ateneo without its chief tactician Haydee Ong due to a one-game suspension with their game serving as a closer at 7 p.m.
Reigning champion National University chases its 11th straight win when it battles the struggling UE at 11:30 a.m., while the 16U division heats up the morning slate with UST-Ateneo (7:30 a.m.) and UE-NU (9:30 a.m.) matchups.
