Games Saturday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. - NU vs UST

6:30 p.m.- Ateneo vs Adamson

University of San Tomas and Adamson try to earn the upper hand when they battle their respective rivals in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Sept. 21.

Fresh from spoiling the stellar start of the UST Growling Tigers (2-1), 69-56, in their last game, the Soaring Falcons (2-1) aim to continue their winning run when they collide against the winless Ateneo Blue Eagles (0-3) at 6:30 p.m in the double-header showdown of the eight-team collegiate league.

In the first duel set at 4:30 p.m, UST, which opened the season with two quick victories over UE (70-55) and Ateneo (74-64), strives to regain its fiery form as it challenges the hard-fighting NU (1-2).

Despite its excellent display against the Growling Tigers, Adamson head coach Nash Racela said that every game they have played was different, but there are lessons for them to get through their ups and downs.

“So, every game is different. That's what we preach to them and the defense that you're facing will be different, moving forward, it's gonna be different when you play the next game,” said Racela. “That's the tendency of people. They think they're good and then all of a sudden, the next game, you face a tough team and that's what's hard.” 

The Soaring Falcons lost their steam in their second contest which resulted in a blowout loss to the league-pacing La Salle Green Archers (3-0), 82-52.

“Hopefully, they'll learn from that LaSalle experience and prepare better moving forward,” he added.

The San Marcelino-based crew, as expected, banks on Matthew Montebon, Matty Erolon, and Royce Mantua, who all had pivotal distributions in their last contest. A win for them could put them at third spot next to last year’s finalist UP (3-0) and La Salle.

Suffering from their misfortunes early this season, the Blue Eagles aim to sort things out and capture their first victory with their rookie star Jared Bahay, Shawn Tuano and also a newcomer Kris Porter at the forefront.

Meanwhile, UST attempts to regain its footing for its third triumph. The Growling Tigers are looking to rely on their floor general Forthsky Padrigao along with Nic Cabañero, Christian Manaytay and Mo Tankoura.

Playing without Mo Diassana, NU hopes to recover after a demolition from UP (89-62).

The Jeff Napa-mentored group will likely count on Steve Nash Enriquez, Jake Figueroa and Ian Manansala.