Defending champion University of the Philippines looks to gain some much-needed separation from De La Salle in the race for the No. 2 spot as it faces a struggling University of Santo Tomas squad on Wednesday in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Fighting Maroons are a far different team now compared to their first-round meeting with the Growling Tigers, where they suffered a 67-87 loss on opening weekend.
After starting the season 0-2, UP has since regained its championship form, winning six of its last seven games to seize solo second behind league-leading National University (8-2).
UST, meanwhile, has gone on a downward spiral after a strong start. The Growling Tigers, who won five of their first six games, have now dropped three straight, including a heartbreaking 96-97 overtime loss to Adamson University last week, where they blew an eight-point lead late in regulation. They are now barely hanging on to a spot in the top four.
Still, UP coach Goldwin Monteverde remains wary of UST, praising the Tigers’ resurgence after several seasons near the bottom of the standings.
“They're very competitive also as a team. For us naman, we will always focus on ourselves first and what needs to be improved on and definitely, every team naman, kung paano naman paghandaan, we'll treat UST the same. Ang importante lang sa amin right now would be to focus first sa sarili and then unti-unti working towards UST,” Monteverde said.
With their Final 4 hopes suddenly on the line, UST co-captain Forthsky Padrigao is urging his team to stay united ahead of their 4:30 p.m. matchup against the Maroons.
“I think wala ka naman kailangan baguhin. More on we have to stay together lalo na sa mga ganitong adversities. Kailangan namin mahanap and dig deep kung ano ba talaga yung character namin and identity namin as a team. But then, hopefully, dumating siya sa next few games namin,” said Padrigao.
“We have to give more than 100 percent every game. It’s about us, watching film, taking into account what our mistakes are kasi doon kami matututo. Our team is really growing and improving kahit sa season na four-game losing streak kami — so yeah, let’s see,” he added.
At 5-4, the Growling Tigers hold a slim half-game lead over the Falcons in the race for the last Final 4 berth.
Ateneo de Manila University, currently sixth with a 4-5 record and just a game behind UST, will aim to snap a five-game skid when it takes on winless University of the East at 2 p.m.
The Blue Eagles haven’t won in a month since their 81-74 victory over De La Salle University in their Oct. 5 rivalry game.
The Red Warriors, who welcome back Wello Lingolingo after a four-game suspension, have lost 15 consecutive matches dating back to the second round of last season.
In women’s action, undefeated UST shoots for its 10th straight win against UP at 7 p.m., while Ateneo tries to strengthen its bid for a fourth consecutive Final 4 berth when it faces UE at 12 noon.
Already assured of a seventh straight semifinals appearance, Tigresses coach Haydee Ong is challenging her team to maintain its intensity as they continue their journey to reclaim the crown they last held in Season 86.
“Slowly but surely, we're on target of our goal right now. Nasa Final 4 kami ngayon, and hopefully magtuloy-tuloy yung wins namin this second round. We're still gonna work hard for it. Sabi ko nga sa girls kanina sa dugout — it's not about the winning streak or the unbeaten record, it's about how we show up every game. Yung hunger namin to win every game sa season,” Ong said.
The Fighting Maroons, third placers two years ago, have dropped seven straight after a promising 2-0 start.
With a 6-3 record, the Blue Eagles are looking to rack up as many wins as possible to secure the best seeding entering the semifinals. UST (9-0) and National University (9-1) are practically locked into the top two spots.
Meanwhile, in the 16U division, the Final 4 race heats up as UST (6-3) clings to fourth place and faces UP Integrated School at 9:30 a.m., while defending champion UE fights to keep its title hopes alive against Ateneo at 7:30 a.m.
