LA SALLE came to the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament with the ultimate goal of reclaiming the crown from new-age rival University of the Philippines.
Now, it treads uncertain waters, pining not just for a chance at a potential third straight championship meeting, but moreso, its very own survival in this season of madness.
The Green Archers try to get out of this morass and keep themselves in play for a Final Four spot when they rekindle their old flame against the Fighting Maroons on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Losers of three straight games, the Taft side suddenly find themselves grasping for stability after dropping down to an even 6-6 card.
That couldn't be more obvious than in La Salle's painful 61-60 loss to Adamson last Wednesday where usual suspects Mike Phillips and Jacob Cortez failed to find their rhythm.
Surely, alarm bells are ringing for coach Topex Robinson who now finds himself in danger of missing out on the postseason for the first time in his three years in green-and-white.
But to get out of this funk, the Green Archers have to find a way to take down a UP team on the rise.
The Diliman side is in the midst of a six-game win streak, which secured it a top two spot at 10-3 behind the prowess of Harold Alarcon and Gerry Abadiano, one which they displayed in their 79-75 come-from-behind win against Ateneo three days ago.
Though the State U is still undefeated in the second round, giving hope for the Green Archers is the fact that it was them who were able to deal UP's last setback with La Salle taking the 72-69 win last Oct. 19.
Winless season for UE?
Game time is at 4:30 p.m., with on the fringe Far Eastern U (5-7) fighting for its life once more against also-ran University of the East (0-13) at 1:30 p.m.
Janrey Pasaol, Kirby Mongcopa, and Mo Konateh are driven to keep the Tamaraws in the playoff race and give themselves a puncher's chance in the postseason, after already having done so with an 84-83 stunner of the Green Archers last week.
Meanwhile, the Red Warriors are shooting to end their misery, as they hope to not suffer the ignominy of being the eighth team in the Final Four era to go winless in a season, while in the process, ending what is already the third-longest losing skid with 19 straight defeats.
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.
