STANDINGS
UP 6-0
La Salle 5-1
UE 4-2
Adamson 3-3
UST 3-3
Ateneo 1-5
NU 1-5
FEU 1-5

Games Saturday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
4:30 p.m – FEU vs UST
6:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU

University of Santo Tomas is eyeing to break its two-game losing skid when it clashes with Far Eastern University while Ateneo and National University hope to get the upper hand before they end their first-round campaign in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena Saturday, Oct. 5.

After their stellar start this year, the Growling Tigers (3-3) try to regain their fiery form over the lowly Tamaraws (1-5) in their 4:30 p.m. contest.

In the final duel set at 6:30 p.m., the Blue Eagles (1-5) seek to conclude the first round on the high note and break the three-way tie when they square off against the Bulldogs (1-5).

The Pido Jarencio-mentored squad is ready to pour it all with versatile guard Forthsky Padrigao spearheading the attack alongside Mo Tounkara and Nic Cabanero.

UST’s deadly trio displayed impressive numbers in its 81-70 defeat to the unbeaten UP (6-0), giving the State U a huge scare before losing steam in the endgame.

“The second round is going to be fun…We have practice, we’re gonna watch films of our games and try to correct our mistakes,” said Tounkara. “We need to prepare for the second round for sure.”  

The 6-foot-8 big man from Mali had 21 points and five rebounds to top the Growling Tigers’ scoring department while Cabanero and Padrigao added 15 and 14, respectively.

On the other hand, Sean Chambers and the Tamaraws, who finally barged into the winning column after their 66-65 escape over the Blue Eagles, will bank on their key players in Jorick Bautista, Royce Alforque, Rey Pasaol, Mo Konateh and Veejay Pre as they go for their first consecutive win.

Meanwhile, Ateneo also attempts to halt its two-game losing streak with Jared Bahay, Shawn Tuano, Kris Porter and Joshua Lazaro leading the charge against NU which has Steve Nash Enriquez, Jolo Manansala and Kenshin Padrones.