Maroons aim to get even vs Tigers for solid hold on second spot

UST’s Collins Akowe (28)

(UAAP Media Bureau)

Games Wednesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

7:30 a.m. – UE vs ADMU (16U)

9:30 a.m. – UST vs UPIS (16U)

12 p.m. – UE vs ADMU (women)

2 p.m. – UE vs ADMU (men)

4:30 P.M. – UST vs UP (men)

7 p.m. – UST vs UP (women)

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion University of the Philippines wants payback on University of Santo Tomas to firm up grip of the coveted second seed in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Game time is at 4:30 p.m. with the Fighting Maroons, clinging behind leader National University (8-2) at 6-3, eyeing enough separation from rival La Salle (6-4) and UST (5-4) for the desired Top Two laced by a twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four.

In the first game at 2 p.m., Ateneo (4-5) shoots for an end to a costly five-game slump that bumped it out of the Final Four picture against winless University of the East (0-9), which will welcome back Wello Lingolingo from a four-game suspension.

But all eyes are on the Fighting Maroons, who got decked by the Growling Tigers, 87-67, in the opening day.

That lopsided affair was held at the Tigers' lair at the Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in España and with a neutral ground this time around, the dribblers from Diliman are hopeful for a different result especially on the crest of winning four its last six games after a flat 0-2 start.

A stark contrast it is for UST, which in the middle of a three-game skid after a blazing 5-1 start for a tie with NU on top in the first round.

"They're very competitive also as a team. For us naman, we will always focus on ourselves first and what needs to be improved on and definitely, every team naman, kung paano naman paghandaan, we'll treat UST the same," said coach Goldwin Monteverde, banking on Harold Alarcon, Francis Nnoruka, Rey Remogat and Gani Stevens to lead the way.

"Ang importante lang sa amin right now would be to focus first sa sarili and then unti-unti working towards UST."

The Growling Tigers, led by super import Collins Akowe, are well aware of their struggle with no wins to show in the second round but admitted there's no panicking in a bid to prove their resilience to stay in the Top Four.

“I think wala ka naman kailangan baguhin. More on we have to stay together lalo na sa mga ganitong adversities. Kailangan namin mahanap and dig deep kung ano ba talaga yung character namin and identity namin as a team. But then, hopefully, dumating siya sa next few games namin,” said co-captain Forthsky Padrigao.