University of the Philippines’ James Payosing against Ateneo de Manila University in UAAP Season 89. UAAP Media.MANILA — University of the Philippines (UP) seeks to solidify its hold on the top spot against National University (NU) on Saturday in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Fighting Maroons are gunning for their fourth 3-0 start in the last five seasons when they clash with the Bulldogs at 6 p.m.
In other games, Adamson University shoots for a second straight victory against Ateneo de Manila University at 12 noon, while Far Eastern University (FEU) takes on winless University of the East (UE) at 2:30 p.m.
Despite losing several vital cogs from its Season 84 and 87 championship runs, UP has been solid to start the season after beating University of Santo Tomas, 92-85, and Ateneo, 94-75.
The week-long break gave Fighting Maroons coach Goldwin Monteverde time to polish his team’s game.
“Every game as we go along sa season, whatever we could improve on, ‘yong mga, whatever lapses or mapa-improve or mapaganda ang team, doon kami matututo and we keep moving forward doon sa next game namin,” Monteverde said. “Hindi kami titigil sa pagtrabaho namin.”
The same goes for the Bulldogs, who appeared to let their guard down against the Red Warriors before recovering to pull away for a 76-56 victory and improve to 1-1 last Sunday.
“Noong third quarter [against UE], medyo nakuntento kasi we're leading big. So ‘yong mindset na gano’n ang kailangan naming ma-correct. Kasi coming on next Saturday, malakas ‘yong kalaban namin,” NU mentor Jeff Napa said.
“Hindi kami puwedeng maging gano’n ‘yung mindset namin. Kailangan, every quarter, pagpasok na pagpasok pa lang, consistent kami sa gusto naming mangyari talaga. Although siyempre nababawi naman nila pero hindi rason ‘yong nababawi agad kasi mahirap magbigay ng opportunity sa kalaban lalo na pag nakuha nila ‘yong momentum nila. So ‘yon ‘yong kailangan naming ma-address para at least maging favorable talaga pa sa amin on Saturday,” he added.
The Falcons are coming off a long hiatus after opening the season with a narrow 56-53 victory over the Tamaraws on Sept. 13.
Coming off a strong showing late in the preseason, Adamson coach Nash Racela knows that the UAAP is a different matter.
“Matagal pa ‘yong Final Four. To be honest, we have a tall mountain to climb. I think from seventh place medyo mahirap na akyatan ‘yon, so that's what our people and even our community think na nasa dulo kami so it's a very, very high and tall mountain to climb. But again, we will do our part. Today (against FEU) was a good start for us. Preseason is preseason, tapos na ‘yon,” Racela said.
It has been a mixed bag for the Blue Eagles after two games under interim coach Louie Alas. After a commanding 101-74 win over UE, Ateneo got a reality check against title contender UP last Sunday.
The loss to Adamson should serve as a reminder for FEU that it needs to work hard if it wants to emerge as a Final Four contender.
Meanwhile, the Red Warriors, who have lost their first two games by a combined 47 points, must play with a sense of urgency against the Tamaraws if they want to remain competitive this season.
Women’s action will finally begin with a lone game at 9 a.m., with back-to-back title-seeking UST taking on UE.
The 16-and-under boys' division will also feature a quadruple-header at the De La Salle Zobel Sports Pavilion in Muntinlupa. Defending champion NUNS faces FEU-D in a rematch of last season’s finals at 1 p.m., while La Salle-Zobel hosts UPIS at 3 p.m.
UE shoots for a fourth win against Ateneo at 11 a.m., right after UST and Adamson clash at 9 a.m.