Ateneo has been treating its recent games with the same intensity and passion the Blue Eagles have shown in their previous victories.
It won’t be any different when the league’s hottest team try to weather a possible upset by the University of Santo Tomas Tigers in today’s UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament.
Winning four games in a row, including their high-profile conquest of La Salle and Far Eastern University, the Blue Eagles are out to sustain the same attitude that brought them to a share of the No. 2 spot and an 8-4 record with two outings remaining in the eliminations.
“We have to be mentally and physically prepared every game,” said do-it-all guard Thirdy Ravena, who proved instrumental in their 74-59 triumph over the Tamaraws.
After claiming the scalp of the Tamaraws twice this season, the Eagles have a strong shot at clinching the remaining twice-to-beat privilege in the Final Four.
But Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga would have none of the Final Four placing discussion heading into the 2 p.m. match at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“I guess the opportunity presents itself, but like I’ve said, we don’t want to think too far ahead,” said Arespacochaga.
“Our next game is as important as our last game. If we lose, then we just lost this good opportunity.”
The Final Four is already cast in stone following Adamson’s victory over the Tigers that assured the Falcons of the last slot.
Although La Salle (12-1) cemented its claim of the top seeding, the Green Archers aim to pull all the stops against the Tamaraws in the other game at 4 p.m. to enter the playoffs confidently on a winning trend.
“There’s always a first time and too bad, it came against Ateneo,” said La Salle coach Aldin Ayo as his Archers’ loss to their rivals, 83-71, left a bad taste in the mouth.
Despite languishing at the cellar with a 3-10 record, the Tigers also hope to pull off one big heist before closing out the season.
“We can’t be derailed,” said Arespacochaga, whose Eagles are scheduled to wind up the eliminations against the Adamson Falcons.
“We have to stay focused on what we have to do.”