Bulldogs, Maroons try to bolster 1-2 positions

Games Saturday

(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion)

7:30 a.m. – NU vs AdU (16U)

9:30 a.m. – UPIS vs UE (16U)

12 p.m. – UP vs UE (women)

2 p.m. – UP vs UE (men)

4:30 p.m. – NU vs AdU (men)

7 p.m. – NU vs AdU (women)

MANILA, Philippines — Pace-setting National University and University of the Philippines tackle separate foes in a bid to shore up their twice-to-beat incentives in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in España.

With only four games left, all eyes are on the Bulldogs (8-2) and the Fighting Maroons (7-3) currently occupying the Top Two spots, with the the third-running Green Archers (6-4) and a logjam at fifth featuring three teams at 5-5 creeping in just on their coattails.

A win by the Bulldogs against the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the main game at 4:30 p.m. would give them enough space from the pack while the Fighting Maroons aim for the similar goal versus the also-ran UE Red Warriors set to welcome coach Chris Gavina back from a four-game ban at 2 p.m.

“Mahirap sabihing happy kasi dapat never kaming makuntento. Nandoon kami sa bar na masaya pero hindi dapat. Meron pa kaming misyon,” said coach Jeff Napa, whose wards only lost twice against the same opponent so far — titleholder UP.

“We will still keep pushing ourselves to the limit para wala kaming pagsisihan every game. At least ginawa namin ‘yung part namin.”

NU barely beat Adamson in the first round, 56-54, as part of its near-sweep with a 6-1 slate. The Bulldogs opened the second round with yet another loss to the Fighting Maroons but strung two straight including a 75-67 repeat over the Green Archers to steady their ship.

Now not’s the time to stumble, especially with La Salle along with Adamson, Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas — both at 5-5 — knocking on the Top Two for the coveted win-once bonuses in the Final Four.

And it’s the same awareness for UP, despite its red-hot four-game spree since losing to La Salle to end the first round shaking at 4-3.

UE, winless and all amidst the dilemma of the twin suspensions of ace guard, Wello Lingolingo and coach Gavina, is a squad UP should not take lightly.

“Wala naman team dito sa UAAP na pwede mong pabayaan,” warned mentor Goldwin Montervede after UP pulled off a 89-88 squeaker on the free-falling Santo Tomas.

Winner of a convincing 92-75 win in the first round, the Fighting Maroons expect a dogfight now with the Red Warriors welcoming Gavina back from a long suspension since the first round following his expletive-filled post-game rants.

UE, at 0-10, is the only team so far already out of Final Four race, and that makes it an even dangerous game for the in-form Maroons wary of any upset at this crucial stretch.

“We respect every team and we prepare the same for every team. Pare-pareho ang pananaw naman sakanila when it comes to preparation,” added Monteverde.

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