AS expected, La Salle and the University of the Philippines have separated themselves from the pack.
Undefeated so far in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, both the Green Archers and Fighting Maroons have performed up to par as they have matched the lofty expectations of being the top two teams.
READ: La Salle runs away from Ateneo in second half to remain perfect
In doing so, they have certainly put the league on notice.
READ: 'Haba ng hair' as UP off to perfect start in UAAP Season 87
That’s why it’s just fair that for those looking to put a dent in their armor, the mere idea of staying in step should already be considered a small victory.
“We’re going to play the No. 1 team which is La Salle, so we have to bring more intensity and aggressiveness kasi maiiwan talaga kami if we don’t,” said University of the East coach Jack Santiago.
Far Eastern University coach Sean Chambers echoed those sentiments and said, “We know how strong UP is, and considering how young our team is, we just want to give them a good fight.”
FEU takes on UP at 4:30 p.m., with UE vs. La Salle following suit at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena, with the less-heralded teams shooting for a miracle – a monumental upset to put the first blemish on the records of the seemingly invincible squads.
UPset A(rcher)lert?
But as they say, “bilog ang bola,” and as favored as the Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers are in their respective matchups, nothing is impossible.
That’s certainly going to be a rallying point for both the Tamaraws and Red Warriors.
“We will always shoot for the win, regardless kung sino pa ang kalaban. Ang importante sa amin is we stick together no matter what happens,” said Santiago, with his UE coming off a breakthrough 56-51 win over FEU last Wednesday.
Chambers is just as defiant: “I don’t think there’s a team in the league that we cannot beat. But I don’t think any other team is going to go through the same kind of growing pains that we are.”
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