Defending champion Ateneo is looking to vent ire on University of the East when they clash in the first round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Blue Eagles (1-2) and the Red Warriors (2-1) meet at 1 p.m. in the second offering of the quadruple header.
Ateneo is struggling early into the season as it sees its worst start in recent league history after absorbing a 74-71 overtime defeat against Adamson sans Jerom Lastimosa last week.
Chris Koon and Kai Ballungay’s combined efforts went nowhere as the Blue Eagles couldn’t convert consistent baskets in the extra period.
The UE side, meanwhile, is off to its best start in the tournament as new recruits Gjerard Wilson and Precious Momowei show the way for the squad.
The Red Warriors fended off Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 65-58, to pick up their second win and carry over their promising record from last season.
In the main event of the busy playdate, De La Salle (2-1) and Adamson (2-1) lock horns at 5 p.m. in a rematch of last season’s rubber match that determined the Final Four.
The Green Archers have so far lived up to their billing as the veteran team this season behind the efforts of duo guards Kevin Quiambao and Evan Nelle.
However, the Soaring Falcons will rely once more in Vince Magbuhos, who delivered the game-winner against the Blue Eagles.
Despite the absence of its strong suit, Adamson has never been one to simply call it a day without putting up a serious fight.
The clash between two strong Final Four contenders should be exciting and give a glimpse of where the first round is headed.
In the opening hostilities, University of the Philippines (3-0) seeks to remain as the only unbeaten team when it faces still winless FEU (0-3) at 11:00 a.m.
The Fighting Maroons took down National University Bulldogs, 78-60, to stay perfect in three games as rookie Francis Lopez and reigning MVP Malick Diouf lead the way for the Season 85 finalists.
Diouf had delivered a double-double performance in as many games to keep himself this season’s top MVP prospect.
In the next play, NU (2-1) is hoping to bring itself back to the winning column at the expense of University of Santo Tomas (0-3) at 3 p.m.
While the Bulldogs look to bounce back, the Growling Tigers seek to snap their 16-game slide dating from last season.