By Krsitel Satumbaga
Standings
Ateneo 8-0
UP 5-3
UST 4-4
FEU 4-4
La Salle 4-4
Adamson 3-5
UE 3-5
NU 1-7
Games Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
10:30 a.m. – NU vs FEU
12:30 p.m. – UST vs UE
4 p.m. – Ateneo vs Adamson
Two-time defending champion Ateneo puts its unbeaten record to the test anew when it faces Adamson Wednesday in UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Eagles stake their eight-game winning streak in the 4 p.m. encounter with the Falcons.
Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena drives to the basket against Adamson’s Aaron Fermin, right, and Lenda Douanga, back, during the UAAP Season 82 at Smart Araneta Coliseum last September 4, 2019 (MB photo / Rio Deluvio)
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin expects to lean on his team’s improving defense again after limiting University of Santo Tomas’ shooters in their 66-52 victory a week ago.
Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin (MB photo / Rio Deluvio)
“We need to continue to understand that there are more ways to attack our defense,” he said. “And these coaches in our league are going to continue to probe and look for those ways. So there’s no time to rest, no time to look backward. Only to look forward to the next game.”
Thirdy Ravena and Ange Kouame remain the Eagles’ dynamic duo at the frontline and will get ample support from SJ Belangel and Matt Nieto.
For Adamson, it would be about coming up with a better performance than a 70-52 defeat to Ateneo in opening day.
Jerrick Ahanmisi and Val Chauca banner Adamson’s offense, along with Lenda Douanga and Jerom Lastimos, in an effort to rebound from an 80-74 loss to University of the East recently.
“Even if we’re marked men already, we still got to find a way to make our shots,” said Ahanmisi, who averages 14 points a game.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and UST seek to untangle themselves from a three-way logjam at third when they collide with separate foes.
Tags: Adamson Soaring Falcons , Ange Kouame , Ateneo Blue Eagles , Blue Eagles , Jerom Lastimosa , Jerrick Ahanmisi , Lenda Douanga , Matt Nieto , SJ Belangel , Soaring Falcons , Tab Baldwin , Thirdy Ravena , UAAP , UAAP men’s basketball , UAAP Season 82 , UAAP season 82 men's basketball , Val Chauca
