League leader National University and defending champion University of the Philippines try to strengthen their grip on their prime positions when they battle separate foes in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Saturday, Nov. 8.
Following a 75-67 win over De La Salle last weekend, the well-rested Bulldogs aim to reaffirm their mastery over the gritty Adamson side which recently saw its four-game win streak end at the hands of Far Eastern University, 73-70.
Match begins at 4:30 p.m., following a 1:30 p.m. duel between the Fighting Maroons (7-3) and the already eliminated University of East Red Warriors (0-10).
Boasting an 8-2 card at No. 1, NU guards itself against complacency especially against a defensive-minded Adamson which remains a threat despite its shortcomings earlier this season.
“Against Adamson, I think they are the No. 1 defensive team, kailangan namin sila paghandaan talaga, at least kailangan makapag-perform kami up to the highest level,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
Omar John and Steve Nash Enriquez, who carried the Bulldogs past the Green Archers in their last contest, vowed to go the extra mile as they try to win it all this year.
Without Gelo Santiago, who is serving a five-game suspension, the 6-foot-10 Senegalese along with Enriquez, go-to guy Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, Paul Francisco, and Tebol Garcia are expected to make the final push with four games left in their elimination calendar.
On the other hand, Ray Allen Torres, who had a 24-point output in a losing cause versus FEU, looks to replicate his shooting touch to help Adamson return to the win column and boost its semifinal hopes.
Meanwhile, UP, which is coming off an 89-88 escape over University of Santo Tomas, targets its fourth straight win when it tangles with the struggling UE.
