FILE–NU Bulldogs in UAAP Season 85. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
After completing their first semi-final tour in seven years, the National University (NU) Bulldogs were still out in the open with two more games before the UAAP Men’s Basketball Four Finals took center stage.
The Bulldogs will face the resurgent La Salle team at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, trying to end round two with a comfortable cushion to advance to the knockout stages.
“We have to be ready against La Salle. We have to be ready in the last two games of the second round because we’re not just targeting the Finals,” said NU coach Jeff Napa.
Defeating the Blue Archers and Adamson Falcons on Saturday could seal the Bulldogs’ two-beat record depending on how the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (10-2) and Ateneo Blue Eagles (8-3) will end any rank .
“We’re not going to be complacent as the competition is at its peak, especially in our last two games remaining,” said John Lloyd Clemente, who starred in the Conquest of Roaring Tigers. of the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, said.
Clemente’s fears were justified, having watched the Green Archers beat the lead Maroons and recent tournament defending champions.
The Green Archers (5-6) are surprisingly back on track in their knockouts even without a MVP contender Schonny Winston, who is still uncertain due to play. A minor calf injury has kept him out of the last four games.
“We still don’t know. He is still day by day. Hopefully we’ll get a magical message from heaven that he can start playing,” La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren said after a shock 82-80 win over the Maroons.
Climbing out of the 19-point hole before winning against Far Eastern University’s Tamaraws, the Blue Eagles faced off against East Red Warriors College as they vie for a spot in the Finals.
Ange Kouame continued to limp due to a knee injury, causing Ateneo’s coaching staff to restrict him from playing. But in the game against Tamaraws, the 6-foot-10 centre-back posted numbers similar to his MVP title from last season. request
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