CAN University of Santo Tomas salvage its UAAP Season 88 title hopes?
The Growling Tigers are looking forward to do just that starting Wednesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
UST is out to finally put an end to its four-game losing skid against winless University of the East at 2 p.m., hopeful that a win would steer this season's hosts back to an upward trajectory.
Free throws have been the biggest waterloo for the Thomasians during this recent slump, and that reared its ugly head in their bitter 89-88 defeat to the University of the Philippines last week, as they missed 24 shots from the charity stripe.
READ: Akowe won't let FT woes get to him as UST enters crucial stretch
The question, though, is can seven days of recovery, one that included a game postponement, change that? Collins Akowe and Nic Cabanero sure hope so.
Forthsky Padrigao is also expected to suit up after a sprained ankle preventing him from finishing that last game which sent the Growling Tigers down to an even 5-5 record - tied with Ateneo and just barely ahead of Adamson.
The Red Warriors, on the other hand, are just determined to keep on fighting, especially with co-captain John Abate already ruled out for the season due to a fractured nose.
Precious Momowei and Wello Lingolingo will be leading the charge, as UE shoots for the upset and seeks the end to its 17-game losing skid.
NU determined to stay top dog
National U (9-2), meanwhile, wants to inch closer to a top two finish when it plays Far Eastern U at 4:30 p.m.
Jake Figueroa was instrumental in the Bulldogs' 66-65 escape from the Soaring Falcons last Saturday and after getting through that test, has been rewarded with the first Final Four ticket in the postseason.
But coach Jeff Napa reminded his boys that the job ain't over and there's no time for the Jhocson side to celebrate.
“Dito mare-recognize if ano ba talaga kami. Yun yung lagi ko pini-preach sa kanila, na kailangan niyo ipakita talaga yung next level ninyo para whatever happens, we will come up ready dito sa last stretch ng second round going all the way sa Final Four," he stated.
The Tamaraws, though, are still fighting for their lives, as Janrey Pasaol, Mo Konateh, and Jorick Bautista aim to move up from their 4-6 card and complicate this wild race to the finish.
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