FACT: Whatever happens on Sunday, National U is ending the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball eliminations on top.
The Bulldogs, riding high with their five-game win streak, are determined to achieve one more goal, though: get their most wins in the elimination phase, as they shoot for win no. 12.
But standing in NU's way? A driven University of Santo Tomas squad which wants to join it in the next round.
Only one's quest will come to fruition when they meet at SM Mall of Asia Arena at 4:30 p.m. when the Bulldogs (11-2) seek a repeat against the Growling Tigers (7-5).
MVP frontrunner Jake Figueroa will be at center stage once more for National U, aching to repeat his magnificent performance last Oct. 1 when he steered the gold-and-blue to a 76-69 conquest against UST in enemy territory, the Quadricentennial Pavillion.
This time, it's his turn to protect the Bulldogs' so-called home court, with SM of course being their chief backer.
For Growling Tigers, it's a chance to create a bit of a separation from the pack and book their Final Four ticket, as they look to sustain its two-game win streak, the last of which being a 67-59 trouncing of Ateneo last week.
Collins Akowe, Nic Cabanero, and Forthsky Padrigao will once again be in the limelight in trying to whip the black-and-gold into form heading into the postseason.
Idle University of the Philippines (10-4), already locked at second place, is taking close notice of this match.
Must-win for both Adamson and Ateneo
More clear cut, however, is the 1:30 p.m. game between Adamson (6-7) and Ateneo (5-7), both doing their darndest to stave elimination and fight for their lives.
The Soaring Falcons are seeking one more miracle, just like how they conjured a 61-60 stunner of La Salle last Wednesday to remain in fighting form, and the likes of Cedrick Manzano, Ray Allen Torres, and Mathew Montebon would certainly like a re-do of that surprising win.
On the flipside, the Blue Eagles of Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, and Jared Bahay try to bounce back after an 18-point collapse resulted to a painful 79-75 loss to UP four days ago.
Ateneo actually won comfortably in that first meeting against Adamson, 77-58, last Sept. 28, but of course, a lot has changed in a span of those next two months.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
