Eagles eye a share of no. 2; Archers seek revenge

Manila, Philippines – Defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles seek a repeat of their win against winless University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to gain a share of second place in the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Eagles, who are coming off a tough come-from-behind 80-73 victory against the University of the East Red Warriors, are hoping to extend their three-game win streak since losing to arch-rival De La Salle Green Archers in the first round.

They currently holds 5-2 record behind Adamson’s 6-2 and Far Eastern University’s 7-1 mark.

The second installment of the Battle of Katipunan takes place at 2pm before La Salle battle National University at 4pm.

“We are lagging behind but we’re still in pretty good position. We just need to improve as the season goes on. That’s the key here in UAAP. The team which adjust and improve throughout the course of the season has the great chance of winning the championship,” Ateneo coach Norman Black said.

Black hopes his team would not get complacent and duplicate their 78-53 rout of the Maroons on August 5.

“We can’t take UP lightly. It’s a dogfight out there. We have to respect our opponents because they’re going to play hard even if they’re struggling,” Black said of the Maroons, who remain winless in seven outings.

The Maroons are coming off a heartbreaking 66-70 loss to the NU Bulldogs after squandering a huge 22-point lead early in the third quarter.

“Nobody stepped up as a leader. Hindi sanay lumamang ng 20 ang UP. I hope this would serve as a lesson,” UP acting coach Boyet Fernandez said after that tough loss to NU.

The Eagles will bank on the likes of Eric Salamat, Kirk Long and Nico Salva while the Maroons will rely anew on Fil-Am swingman Mike Silungan in search of their first victory.

In the other game, the Green Archers eye revenge against the Bulldogs, who gave them a 55-59 beating back in the first round.

The Green Archers are licking the wounds of a heartbreaking 68-70 loss to the Falcons at the end of the first round.

The Archers (4-3) hope to solidify their hold of the fourth spot against the Bulldogs, who are breathing down their necks at 3-4.

Alder Almo, UAAP Sports