No easy battle

I’ve seen UE a couple of times. They’re one of the most dangerous teams in the UAAP

MATT Nieto and Ateneo shoot for their sixth straight win against UE. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG

The team that has nothing to lose is the most dangerous.

That’s probably what’s on Tab Baldwin’s mind as Ateneo de Manila University shoots for its sixth straight win against University of the East (UE) in Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Game time is at 12:30 p.m. with the Blue Eagles trying to keep its immaculate slate intact against the Red Warriors, who are at their best whenever ranged against league heavyweights.

Also gunning for its sixth straight victory is University of the Philippines (UP), which tackles De La Salle University at 4 p.m., while National University (NU) hunts its first win this season when it collides with Far Eastern University in the opener at 10:30 a.m.

Said to be the strongest team on paper due to their deadly brew of power, strategy and championship experience, the Blue Eagles opened their title-retention campaign with five straight wins.

Their latest win was a 71-50 thrashing of NU last week in which Ivorian slotman Angelo Kouame got ample support from local crew like Gian Mamuyac, Mike and Matt Nieto and Thirdy Ravena.

Kouame asserted his dominance with 15 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks while Mamuyac came through with 13 points on an impressive 4-of-6 shooting from the field for the Blue Eagles, whose suffocating defense and deep familiarity to the Bulldogs’ system paved the way for an easy win.

But against UE, the Blue Eagles couldn’t afford to let their guard down.

The Red Warriors may fashion a dismal 1-5 win-loss mark, but their record doesn’t reflect the effort and the hard work they put on the court, making them one of the most dangerous foes to play with.

Their lone win is an 89-88 decision over La Salle, where Cebuano hotshot Rey Suerte erupted for 31 points on top of several clutch plays down the crucial stretch.

And Baldwin knew that the Warriors would be marching to warzone with a kill-or-be killed mentality.

“I’ve seen UE a couple of times. They’re one of the most dangerous teams in the UAAP,” said Baldwin, the prolific Kiwi-American guru who led New Zealand to a strong finish in the 2002 FIBA World Championships.

“They had a good win. People think it’s a surprise win, but I don’t think there are too many surprises in the UAAP this year. All the games are close and competitive so the challenge is to learn about UE’s system and make sure to end up victorious.”

Baldwin said they will definitely deliver a masterful performance, not only to pluck their sixth win, but also to send a statement that they are respecting the game and their opponent by giving their all, especially against a foe that is tipped to go all out like UE.

“We can’t take anybody lightly. That’s disrespectful,” Baldwin said.

“I don’t think we want to be characterized as a program or a team that is disrespecting anybody or anything in our game.”

Also tipped to draw attention are the Fighting Maroons.

UP is coming off a very close 62-56 win over UE, where it squandered a 13-point edge and had to rely on the late-game heroics of Jaydee Tungcab to complete the escape.

This time, the boys of Bo Perasol would definitely be tested as the Green Archers are looking to climb the team standings after a slow start this conference.

“Of course, La Salle is different this season. We all know the kind of personnel they have, but we will try to improve our game from the previous one,” said Perasol, who got a lift from Nigerian Bright Akhuetie and Kobe Paras in their previous win.

“I hope we can be better to make sure that we have a good chance against a solid team like La Salle.”