Opening day winners get another test as reigning champion Ateneo takes on Far Eastern University while National University clashes with De La Salle in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday, March 29.
The Blue Eagles will battle the Tamaraws at 1 p.m. in a match that would pit Dave Ildefonso, veteran Raffy Verano and big man Ange Kouame against an FEU side that flaunts rookie guard RJ Abarrientos.
In the 4 p.m. encounter, the Bulldogs tackle the Green Archers, with both teams coming from nail-biting victories against the Adamson Falcons and the University of the East Red Warriors in their respective season openers.
Serving as appetizer is the match between UE and Adamson at 10 a.m, while UST meets the University of the Philippines at 7 p.m. to cap off the stacked four-game bill.
Behind the efforts of Ildefonso, Verano and Gilas big man Kouame, Ateneo trounced UP, 90-81, to start its title-retention bid on a high note.
Ildefonso scored 19 points, Verano had 18 while Kouame registered a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds against the Fighting Maroons who drew strength from CJ Cansino.
Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin hopes to show the same level of energy against the Tamaraws that would surely lean on speedy guard Abarrientos and the possible appearance of LJ Gonzales, who suffered a sprain during practice prior to opening day.
"Well, certainly the game plan won't revolve around RJ. He'll be a piece of it," Baldwin said. "He had a really good game today (Saturday) but I expect maybe by Tuesday he'll be having his running mate LJ."
Abarrientos fired 18 points and grabbed five rebounds, while Bryan Sajonia chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds in FEU's 76-51 mauling of UST.