Ateneo guns for elims sweep in Battle of Katipunan

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Wednesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

10:30 a.m. – UE vs NU

12:30 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson

4 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP

Ateneo guns for an elimination round sweep and an outright finals berth when it tackles University of the Philippines today in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The anticipated thrilling showdown is at 4 p.m. in a preview of last season’s finals affair where the Blue Eagles captured the crown.

The Blue Eagles also seek a repeat performance of their 89-63 first round triumph over the Maroons to stretch their winning run to 14 games.

A win for Ateneo would set up a stepladder semis among UP, University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University for the remaining finals ticket.

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin expects the same intensity in their 88-51 drubbing of National University last Saturday where his stalwarts came out smoking on both ends.

“It was satisfying. Two weeks in a row, two games in a row, we’ve come out with a great attitude,” he said.

“Sure, we put points on the board, made some shots, but I think what we really focused on was our defense and rebounding.”

For UP, it will be all about giving the best shot after a morale-boosting 71-68 win over De La Salle on Sunday that gave them the No. 2 semis seeding with a 9-4 record.

“We just need to come out really strong,” said UP coach Bo Perasol. “We’ll give it our best shot. They’re not the champion for nothing.”

Perasol is also expected to keep his emotions in check after getting ejected in their previous match against Ateneo that earned him a two-game ban.

Meanwhile, four eliminated teams aim to end the season on a high note with University of the East (3-10) clashing with NU (2-11) in the 10:30 a.m. opener, and La Salle (6-7) colliding with Adamson University (4-9) at 12:30 p.m.

The four squads are nursing recent defeats particularly the Archers, whose loss to the Maroons ended their semis chances.

Source: Manila Bulletin