Falcons seek to stretch run to 5, face Bulldogs

Games today (Filoil Flying V Center) 1 p.m. – AdU vs NU 4 p.m. – UST vs AdMU

At 4-0 and the only unbeaten team in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament, Adamson coach Franz Pumaren’s main concern at this point is how to keep his wards’ egos in check and make sure they never stray from the path.

“We try to nip it (complacency) at this stage,” said Pumaren ahead of the Falcons’ duel with redemption seeking National U (1-2) today at the Filoil Flying V Center.

The Falcons nearly fell to an ambush last Wednesday, needing a Sean Manganti gamewinner at the buzzer to escape with a 69-68 nailbiter over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and Pumaren warned his wards that 4-0 meant nothing in the overall scheme of things.

“We were lax (the UP match). I’ve been stressing we’re not that good a team to be running away from what we’re doing; we’re winning because we’re using our system, we’re winning because we play as a team not only offensively but defensively,” he said.

Pumaren expects another grind-out in their 1 p.m. battle with the Bulldogs, who are out to atone for their 46-72 loss to the Blue Eagles Saturday.

Meanwhile, the second hottest team in the tournament, defending champion Ateneo (3-1) looks to keep the fire burning in their matchup with new-look Sto. Tomas U (1-2).

Grounded by the Falcons on opening weekend, the Eagles have since taken flight and racked up three consecutive victories, including an 89-62 rout of University of the East Wednesday.