UP eyes magic four against UE; ADMU, AdU target fourth place

Games on Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
3:30 p.m. – AdU vs Ateneo (men)
6:30 p.m. – UP vs UE (men)

HOST University of the Philippines (UP) and University of the East (UE) jockey for positions inside the magic four while Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)and Adamson University (AdU)look to stay in the thick of the race in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Fresh from a long break, UP (7-1) is a favorite to repeat over UE (5-3) at 6:30 p.m. in the upper half of the standings just behind semis-bound De La Salle University (9-1) as streaking Ateneo (3-6) and skidding Adamson (3-6) figure in a key duel in the middle pack at 3:30 p.m.

The Fighting Maroons could move closer to following the Green Archers in the semifinals but coach Goldwin Monteverde is urging his wards to not look ahead against the dangerous and very capable Red Warriors, who had a five-game win run at one point.

UP last saw action on Oct. 13 with an 83-73 win over University  of Santo Tomas, having fresher legs as an added advantage against UE that saw its streak end against La Salle in overtime, 94-87, last weekend.

“We have to be consistent with what we’ve always said in the first round: responding to the challenge at hand, especially against a team like UE,” said Mr. Monteverde, whose charges grinded out an 81-71 win in the first round.

The bigger opportunity, however, is on the Blue Eagles with a potential to suddenly tie the Tigers for the coveted fourth spot.

Ateneo, after a winless start, has knotted two straight wins to catch up with Adamson -— on a three-game slide — and fellow red-hot Far Eastern University at No. 5 with identical 3-6 slates.

“It does take some of the pressure off. It does relieve things a bit,” said coach Tab Baldwin following a gutsy road win against Santo Tomas, 67-64, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

“Having said that, you know, I see growth. I see evolution. I see development. And that pleases our entire coaching staff but compared to where we want to go, we’re just scratching the surface.”

The Falcons, on their part, absorbed a 70-45 defeat at the hands of the Archers last weekend also at the UST gym to suddenly lose steam in the Final Four race from a steady spot at third to fourth in the first round. — John Bryan Ulanday