A LITTLE less complication is what the University of the Philippines and La Salle are seeking, as they try to slowly whittle down the field on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The defending champions, already in the Final Four, are seeking to close in on a top two spot when they play skidding Ateneo at 4:30 p.m.
Things are coming together for the Fighting Maroons, with Harold Alarcon emerging as the go-to guy and Francis Nnoruka displaying his dominant form - one that was in full view on Sunday in their 70-65 win against Adamson.
And after securing State U's seventh straight Final Four appearance with its 9-3 record, coach Goldwin Monteverde is determined to continue finetuning his wards, all while they shoot to secure at least a playoff for the second twice-to-beat bonus.
"Kailangan talaga each game, kung ano kailangan namin ma-improve, kailangan tutukan natin," he said.
The Blue Eagles, though, aren't ready to give up the fight just yet even after losing six of their last seven to go down to a 5-6 card.
Yet coach Tab Baldwin remained wary, knowing that they have little to no room for errors now.
"We can't be significantly behind the other teams in terms of making good decisions and making mature plays on the court," he lamented, hopeful to get better showing from the likes of playmaker Jared Bahay, rookie big Divine Adili, and one-and-dones Kymani Ladi and Dom Escobar.
Adamson fights for its life vs. La Salle
In the 1:30 p.m. game, La Salle (6-5) is looking to eliminate Adamson (5-7) in this wild race to the finish.
But that's easier said than done, especially with the Green Archers losing the last two including a shock 84-83 defeat to Far Eastern U three days ago.
Mike Phillips vowed that the Taft side would be hungrier, all the more with the desperate Soaring Falcons crew led by Cedrick Manzano fighting for survival.
"We have to just keep getting back up. We just focus on what's in front of us right now and we'll get through that together," said the graduating green-and-white captain.
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.
