THIS scenario looks too familiar for reigning three-time champion Ateneo — a perfect season looming.
But Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin says their chances of completing another dream season, like they did three years ago, will depend on their preparations and focus.
Ateneo tests the grit of red-hot Adamson University at 4:30 p.m. today in the 84th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, with the Eagles seeking to extend their unbeaten run to 12 and 38-0 since 2018.
University of the Philippines tries to boost its hold of solo second when it tackles winless University of the East at 12:30.
Skidding teams National University and University of Santo Tomas clash in the nightcap at 7 p.m.
La Salle eyes a big rebound from a numbing loss the last time out when it takes on Far Eastern University in the curtain-raiser at 10 a.m.
“We always take one game at a time, and we know that if we didn’t come into this game prepared today, you saw what NU is capable of doing, so fortunately I think our preparation was very good, and I think the players were extraordinary in the first half,” Baldwin said after his charges scored an 89-75 victory over National University three days ago.
“Sometimes that’s enough, so the fact that Adamson is preparing for us immediately after the game I would expect that, and we will be preparing for Adamson, the coaching staff goes back and starts breaking down the game,” he added.
The likes of Dave Ildefonso, 6-foot-10 naturalized Filipino center Ange Kouame, BJ Andrade, SJ Belangel, Tyler Tio, Raffy Verano, and Gian Mamuyac are expected to spearhead Ateneo’s attack.
The Soaring Falcons have won four straight games, including an 80-69 drubbing of the Growling Tigers last Saturday that hiked their record to 5-6 in a tie with the Tamaraws at fourth.
“We’re getting closer to where we want to be as a team and I think that’s the important thing, but today bagsak kami, and you don’t want that at this time especially next game mo would be Ateneo,” Adamson tactician Nash Racela said.
“So that’s why in the dugout I told them they need to understand that we are preparing them for bigger things, hindi lang just iyong game today, and that’s something that you know kids now need to learn and really absorbed, so the sooner the better.”
