Eagles vow comeback against Bulldogs

Manila, Philippines – Four teams seek to bounce back from bitter losses when the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball resumes today at the Araneta Coliseum.

Defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles are determined to bounce back from a 63-66 defeat at the hands of arch rival De La Salle Green Archers last week.

The Eagles, who find themselves in the middle of the pack with 2-2 slate after that loss, try to vent their ire on National University Bulldogs at 4pm followed by the battle of the winless teams between University of the East Red Warriors and University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 2pm.

“We didn’t finish strong at all. Our defense let us down. But we’ve been here before. I know these guys have the heart to bounce back like we did in the past,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black after their second loss of the season.

Unlike the previous seasons, the Eagles lacked a go-to-guy in their two defeats, which curiously were decided by just three points.

Black hopes that he would find that guy among the likes of Eric Salamat, Nico Salva, Rya Buenafe and emerging Justin Chua.

The Bulldogs, who are coming off a heartbreaking 58-59 loss to UST, hope to let Cameroonian behemoth Emmanuel Mbe loose in the shaded area.

Mbe averaged 15.5 points in NU’s two wins while he was only limited to 9.3 points in their three losses.

NU hopes to celebrate its foundation anniversary tomorrow (Sunday) with a victory.

Battle of the winless

In the other match, the Warriors and the Maroons, both winless in four starts, go separate ways today.

Paul Lee, who is averaging close to 20 points per contest, hopes to catch fire anew and finally broke the Warriors’ dry spell.

But he will be a marked man again, this time, and needs to squeeze out more from his teammates as only forward Kenneth Acibar the other Warrior averaging in double figures with 11.3 per game.

The Maroons, who have seen enough from coaching change to losing woes despite an impressive pre-season build up, hope to barge into the win column.

UP boasts of four players averaging in double figures led by Fil-am rookie Mike Silungan’s 14.8 points per game.

Alder Almo, UAAP Sports