Eagles, Tigers target title duel vs Archers, Bulldogs

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

12 noon – UST vs NU

4 p.m. – ADMU vs DLSU

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion and top seed Ateneo and No. 2 University of Santo Tomas try to make the most out of their Final Four incentives and arrange an interesting title showdown when they tangle with separate rivals today in the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball playoffs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles, coming off two weeks of rest since securing their league-best 12-2 card, gun for their fifth straight finals appearance with a victory against fourth-ranked La Salle (9-5), their redemption-seeking arch rivals who are preparing an ambush in a widely-anticipated 4 p.m. encounter.

The Tigers (10-4), on the other hand, seek a first championship stint since going all the way to the title in 2006, hitting the court at 12 noon to tackle a third-seeded National U (9-5) squad hungry for recognition in a season they’re tipped to be a contender in after years in the doldrums. 

Ateneo coach Norman Black expects a defensive struggle against the Archers.

“It should be a difficult game, especially they (Archers) are playing very good basketball right now. They seem to be peaking at the right time. I expect it to be a defensive struggle between the top 2 defensive teams of the league,” said Black, who called off plans to quit his job in the wake of the parting of ways of his PLDT boss Manny V. Pangilinan and the school in order to finish his term this season.

The Archers are the best when it comes to holding down opponents, giving up only 64.7 points per game on a 34.5 percent clip. The Eagles are not far behind at second, yielding 65.4 points to their opponents and choking them to 35.8 percent marksmanship.

“It’s going to be an exciting matchup,” said DLSU coach Gee Abanilla, in the first year of the school’s rebuilding plans under godfather Danding Cojuangco. 

“I think we’re clearly the underdogs here. They have twice-to-beat advantage against us and they are really strong but right now I’m very happy with the way we’re performing. We’re peaking at the right time. Hopefully that long layoff for Ateneo will work for us,” he added.

La Salle is back in the Final Four after an ego-boosting 63-56 triumph over Far Eastern U in Sunday’s rubber match for No. 4 where the Archers fought back from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to steal the victory.

“With the way they played and showed character against FEU, I expect a tough contest,” said Black, looking to give ADMU a five-peat before leaving the team for Talk n Text in the PBA.

Like ADMU, UST wants to take the short route to the finals.

“We’re prepared and focused. This is a do-or-die for us. We can’t afford to lose this one, our chance to make it to the finals,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio, who added that the pressure is on the side of NU.

The Bulldogs are in the semis after a long while, pouncing on the second chance they got against FEU, 84-81 in OT.

“This is our first time in the Final Four, we are motivated to do our best,” said NU mentor Eric Altamirano, adding that his wards morale and confidence are high following that win over FEU.

“We expect to use that as inspiration in the Final Four. The boys are motivated to accomplish something for the school and make history,” he added.