Mga laro ngayon:
(Smart Areneta
Coliseum)
11 a.m. – FEU vs NU (Women Finals)
3:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Men Finals)
NAKAHANDA ang Ateneo sa pagresbak ng University of the Philippines sa pagtatangka nitong kunin ang ikalawang sunod na UAAP men’s basketball title ngayong alas-3:30 ng hapon sa Araneta Coliseum.
“We can’t expect anything less on Wednesday from them (Fighting Maroons). We have to expect a lot more from our defense,” wika ni coach Tab Baldwin makaraang maitakas ng Blue Eagles ang 88-79 panalo sa Game 1 noong Sabado.
Umaasa naman ang UP na maulit ang stunning Final Four reversal laban sa No. 2 Adamson, kung saan nanalo ito ng dalawang sunod upang makapasok sa Finals sa unang pagkakataon sa loob ng 32 taon.
“I told them they fought in a twice-to-beat disadvantage in Adamson, why not do it against Ateneo,” sabi ni coach Bo Perasol.
Sa women’s division, sisikapin ng National University na tapusin ang championship showdown nito sa Far Eastern University sa pamamagitan ng record 80th consecutive win at five-peat sa alas-11 ng umaga.
Sa pangunguna ni Thirdy Ravena, ang Ateneo ay nakauna sa UP upang kunin ang 1-0 series lead.
Nagtatangka sa kanilang 10th crown overall, batid ng Eagles ang kakayahan ng Maroons na inaasahan nilang dadalhin nito sa Game 2.
“UP is much more determined, much more cohesive,” ani Baldwin. “They understand their personnel, they understand how to create shots much better and they play for one another. It’s quite obvious. So that always makes a team tougher.”
“It’s something I think that probably coach Bo (Perasol) was working on throughout the season and I think he got it pretty close to right.”
Magandang balita naman para sa UP na makapaglalaro si Nigerian slotman Bright Akhuetie, na na-injure ang tuhod makaraang makabangga si Ivorian rookie Ange Kouame ng Ateneo.
Tatanggapin ni Akhuetie ang season MVP award sa isang seremonya bago ang Game 2. CLYDE MARIANO
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