University of Santo Tomas and National University shoot for the solo UAAP lead when they take on their separate rivals in the Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Oct. 18.
With all squads stepping into their final first-round games this weekend, the Growling Tigers, coming from their third straight triumph for a 5-1 record, are expected to go all out and extend their promising run when they battle the Adamson Soaring Falcons (2-4) at 4:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs (5-1), meanwhile, are set for a 2 p.m. duel with the Ateneo Blue Eagles (4-2), who seek to break their two-game slide.
After pulling off a 92-80 victory over Far Eastern University last Wednesday, UST braces for a tough stand from Adamson, with a victory serving as a momentum-builder coming into the second round.
“We have to face Adamson na 100-percent focus, because alam naman natin ‘yon, hindi sila madaling kalaban. Anytime, they can win,” said UST assistant coach CJ Balingit. “We have to keep this momentum going into the second round.”
Kyle Paranada, who anchored the Tigers to their three-game winning streak with a solid outing over the Tamaraws, is expected to deliver another superb performance for host UST. He joins Nic Cabañero, Forthsky Padrigao, Collins Akowe, Gelo Crisostomo, and Mark Llemit at the forefront with hopes of bringing the glory back to España.
Adamson, which snapped its three-game losing skid with a 77-62 triumph over University of the East, is expected to rely on Ray Allen Torres, Earl Medina, and Cedrick Manzano leading the pack.
“Our focus is just on the controllables. A lot of things happen that we can't control… I think we just have to play above that… we should be better prepared moving forward,” said Adamson chief tactician Nash Racela.
Meanwhile, NU plays its hearts out for a chance to secure its third consecutive win against Ateneo, which is eager to bounce back after its two straight losses.
The Bulldogs, who outlasted the De La Salle University Green Archers via an 82-78 win in their last contest, bank on their go-to guy Jake Figueroa alongside PJ Palacielo and Gelo Santiago as they eye to clip the retooled Eagles.
Ateneo, which is moving on from its classic 89-98 triple overtime loss to UST, leans on Jared Bahay along with Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, Shawn Tuano, Divine Adili and Ian Espinosa.
In women’s play, NU and Ateneo, which both hold a 4-1 card, duke it out for second spot in their 12 p.m. face-off, while UST shoots for its sixth win in a row when it stakes its immaculate 5-0 tally against Adamson (2-3). Morning action features two junior matches in NU-Ateneo (7:30 a.m.) and Adamson-UST (9:30 a.m.).
