MANILA, Philippines — Sigurado na sa Final Four ang defending champions De La Salle University kaya puntirya naman nila ang twice-to-beat advantage sa second round ng UAAP Season 87 collegiate men’s basketball tournament.
Solo sa tuktok ng team standings ang Green Archers tangan ang 9-1 karta, nakatakda nilang harapin ang Ateneo de Manila University sa alas-6:30 ng gabi na lalaruin sa SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Naniniwala naman si DLSU head coach Topex Robinson na mapapalaban sila sa nag-iinit na Blue Eagles na galing sa two-game winning streak.
“It will never change, you know. Whether where you are now right now, you standing, you just forget everything because it’s gonna be Ateneo. So we know that they are coming off a good run. Their guys are really picking up the system, the staff are doing there, with coach Tab’s. So there’s always gonna be excitement. You play one of the best programs and there is so much history in this,” ani Robinson.
Kakapitan ng Taft-based squad si reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao upang masikwat ang importanteng panalo habang tiyak na tutulong sa opensa si Joshua David.
Ihaharap naman ng Ateneo ang pambatong rookies na sina Jared Bahay at Kristian Porter na mga naging susi sa huling dalawang panalo ng Blue Eagles.
Tangan ang 3-6 karta, malaki pa ang tsansa ng Ateneo na makapasok sa magic four dahil kalahating laro lang ang hinahabol nila sa No. 4 na University of Santo Tomas na may 4-6 record.