Archers, Tigers go for strong 2-0 starts

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
11:30 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU (women)
1:30 p.m. – UST vs ADMU (women)
4:30 p.m. – AdU vs DLSU (men)
6:30 p.m. – UST vs ADMU (men)

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning champion La Salle wants a quick separation from the pack while University Santo Tomas is out for another surprise when they tangle with separate counterparts in the second week of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fresh from a tough first test against National University, La Salle braces for another large target on its back against the underdog but very capable Adamson at 4:30 p.m. prior to the main duel between UST and Ateneo at 6:30 p.m.

Tagged as the heavy favorites to repeat, the Green Archers were welcomed by a baptism of fire by the Bulldogs last weekend in a near defeat only for Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao to come to the rescue.

Quiambao poured six of his 22 points in La Salle’s late flurry, capped by the booming triple in the last nine seconds to flip a 64-71 deficit for the gritty win. And La Salle expects the same teeth-to-teeth match against Adamson, which is on the heels of a 59-47 win against Far Eastern University to spoil Sean Chambers’ coaching debut.

“We will learn from these experiences. We’d rather play these kinds of game that will test us to the mettle. We’re just gonna keep on sharpening our saw and we’re gonna get better,” Quiambao said.

“We know na walang surprises. All teams are gonna play us that way. And it's just gonna make us better. It's just gonna make this team better.”

One of the teams which indeed showed a massive improvement right off the bat was UST, which will be out for quick follow-up against the rebuilding but still formidable Ateneo squad.

“Well-prepared kami for this season. Itong mga ito, ‘yung character nila hindi na magbabago ito. Ito na ‘yung team ko. Makikipagpitpitan itong mga to, makikipagpatayan, (basta) fairplay lang lahat. We’re ready,” declared Santo Tomas Pido Jarencio.

The Tigers, in Jarencio’s return last season, registered only two wins and a triumph today would already match that against the Eagles, who absorbed a deflating 77-61 debut loss to powerhouse and host University of the Philippines.