Games today (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. – Ateneo vs. UST
4 p.m. – La Salle vs. UE
THE “drive for five” continues today for the four-time reigning champions, Ateneo Blue Eagles, as they face off against the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers in the 75th UAAP basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles started their campaign for a fifth straight title in high gear last weekend as they demolished the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 73-57, behind the impressive numbers of man-mountain, Greg Slaughter, who tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Nico Salva was also a thorn in the side of the Falcons with his 14 markers.
Their opponent today will be a Growling Tigers squad that is hurting from their, 72-73 loss at the hands of last year’s losing finalists, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. The defeat was a hard pill to swallow for UST, which led by 10 at the start of the final period only to see that lead evaporate in the face of the clutch shooting by guards Terrence Romeo and former league MVP, RR Garcia, who capped off the win with the game-winning lay-up with six seconds left.
Meanwhile, Ateneo’s blood rivals, the La Salle Green Archers, will also see action today against the University of the East Red Warriors. La Salle is coming off a hard-fought, 73-68 win over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons while UE is aiming to bounce back after being routed by this year’s tournament hosts, the National University Bulldogs, 55-90. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio