Can Maroons break Tigers’ spell?
UP seeks finals rematch with Ateneo today
Games Sunday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
12 noon – FEU vs Adamson (women’s) 4 p.m. – UP vs UST (men’s)
University of the Philippines is determined to end its dryspell over University of Santo Tomas and earn a second straight finals appearance today in the second phase of the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball stepladder at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Maroons are hoping to be third time lucky in the match set at 4 p.m. and arrange a title rematch with the defending two-time champion Ateneo Blue Eagles, who earned an outright finals berth by virtue of sweeping the double-round eliminations.
UP enjoys a twice-to-beat advantage but it is UST which carries the momentum after winning all of their two meetings during the elims and having beaten Far Eastern University 81-71 in the first stepladder phase four days back.
“We need to keep our composure. Basta ang mahalaga, makaadjust sa mga mali at ma-execute ng maayos yung plays,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo, who wants his team to keep their energy running after almost blowing a 26point lead against FEU.
Soulemane Chabi Yo anchored UST to victory the last time with 25 points, 11 rebounds and three assists and Ayo hopes that the season’s Most Valuable Player can equal or exceed the same numbers against UP.
The Tigers are also expected to bank on their outside shooting after unloading 14 triples against the Tamaraws, including five from Brent Paraiso.
UP, meanwhile, hopes to leave the past behind and start new.
Aside from losing twice to the Tigers, the Maroons are also coming off an 86-64 defeat to the Blue Eagles at the end of the elims.
“It’s a reality check, but we need to isolate the bad games, especially,” UP coach Bo Perasol said, adding that they have worked hard to earn the No. 2 seeding and the twice-to-beat incentive.
Expected to challenge Chabi Yo will be last season’s MVP Bright Akhuetie and Kobe Paras.
Providing reinforcements for Chabi Yo are Paraiso, Renzo Subido and Rhenz Abando.
Knockout match, if necessary, will be on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
UST won the first meeting 8579 last Sept. 7 at the Big Dome before repeating over UP 84-78 last Oct. 16 at MOA.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and Adamson in the stepladder phase of the women's basketball division set at 12 noon.