League-leading Ateneo and reigning champion University of the Philippines clash in yet another instalment of the "Battle of Katipunan" in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Fresh off an 81-74 win over archrival De La Salle University, the surging Blue Eagles look to carry the momentum and take their fifth win against the Fighting Maroons, who have split their four games with the latest a 66-59 victory over erstwhile unbeaten National University Bulldogs.
Ateneo and UP relive their rivalry in their 4:30 p.m. clash, with NU and Adamson starting off the men’s basketball action at 2 p.m.
Veteran mentor Tab Baldwin anticipates a tight match against the State U as both squads aim for great things this season.
“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 improve its record from a 4-10 finish last year.
For the Maroons, it doesn’t matter who they are facing.
“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.
Bringing out 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.
In the last contests, the Bulldogs were plagued by a second-half spell against the Maroons, who eventually tainted their previously pristine record. The Soaring Falcons, meanwhile, absorbed a 64-58 setback to the once winless Far Eastern University.
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 junior games, including a 7:30 a.m. face-off between NU and Adamson then a 9:30 a.m. clash between Ateneo and UP.
