Eagles, Archers seek to boost Final Four bids

Manila, Philippines – Rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles and De La Salle Green Archers shoot for crucial wins this Thursday to get a nearer to the Final Four when the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball action resumes at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Eagles (6-2) will try to tie idle Adamson Falcons (7-2) at second spot with a season sweep of the National University Bulldogs at 4 p.m.

The Archers, meanwhile, seek to extend the losing woes of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and solidify their hold of the fourth spot at 2 p.m.

The defending champion Eagles are on a four-game win streak after losing to the Archers in the first round getting solid contributions from almost everybody.

“Our offense is a little more balanced. It’s more difficult to read,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.

“We’re a bit unpredictable this year as far as who’s going to step up to score for us. It’s unlike the last two years where you know that the ball was going to Rabeh [Al-Hussaini].”

Black, now, has many weapons at his disposal which can explode at any given time.

In their latest win against the Maroons, 75-59, it was Emman Monfort’s turn to explode. The tiny guard waxed hot from beyond the arc en route to a career-high 23 points.

Aside from Monfort, Black also has Erik Salamat, Ryan Buenafe and Nico Salva, who will see action despite hurting his finger that caused him to miss three-fourths of their last game.

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are hoping to bounce back from a stinging 56-59 loss to the Archers and get back in their Final Four hunt.

NU is currently 2 games outside of the top four with a 3-5 card. And the Bulldogs will go to war minus rookie Glenn Khobunting, who will serve the one-game suspension slapped on him after incurring his second unsportsmanlike foul.

In the other game, the Archers, who are finally maturing as a team, eye a season sweep of the short-handed Maroons.

With a 5-3 record, the Archers are looking to distance themselves from the lower half of the field and take advantage of the short-handed Maroons, who are still winless so far after eight games.

UP’s Alvin Padilla was also meted out with a one-game ban following his second unsportsmanlike foul during their last game.

Alder Almo, UAAP Sports