UST, DLSU square off

The Growling Tigers are coming off a come-from-behind 82-74 victory over the Tamaraws last 22 September. #UAAP82 #TigersClashWithArchers

RHENZ Abando of UST will be a marked man when UST faces La Salle. (Joaquin Flores)

Ending the first round on a high note will be the order of battle when University of Santo Tomas (UST) squares off with De La Salle University in Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The well-rested Growling Tigers clash with the struggling Green Archers at 2 p.m. while Far Eastern University and Adamson University tangle at 4 p.m. in a bid to capture a crucial win that would keep them in the hunt for a Final Four berth.

The Growling Tigers are coming off a come-from-behind 82-74 victory over the Tamaraws last 22 September to improve their win-loss record to 4-2, good for No. 3 behind the league-leading Ateneo de Manila University (6-0) and University of the Philippines (5-1).

UST rallied from 12 points down against FEU to avert a second straight setback in the tournament.

The Growling Tigers are facing an angry La Salle squad, which encountered a late-game meltdown against the Fighting Maroons in its last game and lost, 72-71, to slip to 2-4.

“As early as now, we’re trying to win the games that we can and, of course, compete,” said UST head coach Aldin Ayo, who drew solid games from rookies Rhenz Abando, Mark Nonoy, Sherwin Concepcion and Soulemane Chabi Yo against the Tamaraws.

“Compete, because we don’t want to cram when the second round comes in. I always tell the players that right now, we’re still in control,” the one-time UAAP champion mentor added.

Chabi Yo posted another double-double game for the Growling Tigers with 21 points and 15 rebounds while Concepcion, Nonoy and Abando also hit double figures in scoring with 12, 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

La Salle has been a disappointment so far in the tournament, winning just two of their first six games and the team of head coach Gian Nazario needs this game badly to stay on track in the Final Four race.

The Green Archers are currently tied with FEU at 2-4 behind the 3-3 Soaring Falcons, who will try to bounce back from their 61-68 loss to La Salle.

The Tamaraws had their worst shooting performance in their previous game against National University, hitting just 19 percent from the field in their ugly 39-61 defeat to the Bulldogs.

Barkley Ebona was the sole bright spot for FEU with 17 points and three blocks while the rest failed to contribute for the team of coach Olsen Racela.

Adamson will rely in Jerrick Ahanmisi, Val Chauca, Simon Camacho and Jerom Lastimosa to end the first round with a victory and keep the hold of the No. 4 spot in the team standings.