NATIONAL University braces for a University of Santo Tomas side that has picked up its rhythm as they dispute the last UAAP men’s basketball champion-ship berth today at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs hope to live up to their top-ranked billing while the Tigers go for a major upset in a bid to become the first No. 4 team to reach the Finals in the 4 p.m. semifinal duel.
“UST got its old confidence back,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “They also found their rhythm, so we should show mental toughness. We should be able to get our composure back and learn not to panic.”
The winner of the do-or-die match will clash with the La Salle, which sealed the first title slot after a 71-68 disposal of Far Eastern University in their own Final Four battle last Wednesday.
“Paakyat kami (We’re on the rise),” coach Pido Jarencio said of his Tigers, who fought back from as low as sixth place midway in the eliminations.
“We’re peaking at the right time. When we reached the Final Four, our mindset is ‘we have nothing to lose.’ The pressure is on them (Bulldogs).”
The Tigers pushed the series to a decider last weekend when they broke out of the gates early to shock the Bulldogs, 71-62.
“We just have to focus, we cannot come out relaxed anymore,” said NU star Ray Parks, who vowed to be back in top shape despite spraining his left wrist and finger during the loss to the Tigers.
No fourth-ranked team has ousted the No. 1 squad since 1994, when the league first used the Final Four format.
But Jarencio thinks his Tigers have a strong shot at nailing the win behind Jeric Teng, Aljon Mariano, Karim Abdul and Kevin Ferrer, whose pesky defense helped hold down Parks in their last meeting.
“Defending him is a challenge for me because he’s the top player,” Ferrer said of Parks, a two-time MVP. “But we’re all helping each other as a team.”
The Bulldogs, though, are pumped up by their own bid to reach the title round for the first time in 43 years.
A victory will also keep NU on track for a rare three-division sweep as both its juniors and women’s basketball teams already advanced to the Finals.
“We’re happy to be in this position because it has been a long time since NU was this competitive,” said Altamirano. “I know how important the game is, so we have to give our best and try to find a way to play our game.”