UAAP: Eagles gun for No. 4; Archers out to break ice

MANILA — Ateneo takes on winless University of the East Saturday seeking a fourth consecutive victory in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Norman Black said there will be no slowing down when the Blue Eagles try to keep the lead versus the Warriors at 3 p.m.

University of the Philippines, toting an even 1-1 record, goes up against another winless squad in La Salle at 1 p.m.

“I don’t think we can take any team for granted,” said Black. “I think the number one thing for the team is to remain humble and to keep on focusing on every individual game.”

Rookies Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter have been sensational as billed, but there’s also no overlooking the solid games dished out by the veterans led by Nico Salva, Kirk Long and Emman Monfort.

The Green Archers, meanwhile, hope to barge into the win column after drawing two tough assignments in three-time champion Ateneo (81-72) and last year’s runner-up Far Eastern University (74-65).

“We’re still positive,” said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren. “We know we have to work better as a team and sustain our aggressiveness throughout the game.”

Read more...