Leading Falcons go eye-to-eye vs Archers

ADAMSON University eyes to finish the first round at the top when it faces De La Salle University today in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The leading Falcons ( 5- 1) and the fourth- running Green Archers ( 3- 3) battle in the 4 p. m. main game.

Adamson absorbed its first loss last week, a slim 85- 88 overtime defeat to Far Eastern University that snapped its fivegame winning streak.

“It’s a learning experience for us. That’s the type of game that will make us a better team down the road,” Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren said.

Pumaren will lean anew on prolific scorer Jerrick Ahanmisi, captain Sean Manganti and Cameroonian center Papi Sarr as the Falcons seek to stay atop the eight-team standings heading into the second round.

La Salle is also looking to return to its winning ways after a 55-71 beating to archrival Ateneo De Manila University last week.

Rookie mentor Louie Gonzales will count on main gunner Aljun Melecio and frontliners Justine Baltazar and Santi Santillan.

Meanwhile, bottom dwellers University of the East (1-5) and National University (1-5) will collide in the 2 p.m. game day opener, seeking to rekindle the fire of their Final Four bids.

The Red Warriors will bank on main man Alvin Pasaol along with fellow veterans Philip Manalang and Wil Bartolome as they try to rebound from a 66- 80 loss to University of Sto. Tomas.

On the other hand, the Bulldogs will pin their hopes on hotshot rookie Shaun Ildefonso, Troy Rike and JV Gallego in ending a five- game losing skid.

The game will mark the first encounter between Ildefonso and his former coach now Warriors mentor Joe Silva. Ildefonso and Silva won the UAAP juniors championship together with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets last season.