Games today:
(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion)
2 p.m. — UP vs UE
4:30 p.m. — NU vs Adamson
Solo leader National University is looking to take advantage of its improved three-point shooting when it aims for at least a playoff for a Final Four seat against defensive-minded Adamson University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament today.
Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa hopes to see the same red-hot long bombs unleashed by his wards in their previous outing to repeat over their first-round prey in their 4:30 p.m. clash at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.
NU torched De La Salle University with nine triples in a 75-67 decision to complete an elimination round head-to-head sweep of the Green Archers for back-to-back victories.
Sporting an 8-2 win-loss record atop the standings, the Bulldogs only need to replicate their 56-54 triumph over Adamson in their first meeting to put a foot in the door of the Final Four.
Napa sees NU’s long-range shooting as key in taking down the Falcons, who are eyeing to get back up after seeing their four-game winning streak snapped the last time out.
“We just scored nine three points, I think that’s the most for us in 10 games. I’m happy about our performance (against La Salle). We added (outside) offense. Actually, that’s what I saw from them,” Napa said.
“They’re all shooting good shots. They’re more relaxed taking that shot. That’s what we’ll look at again. Because, of course, our opponents are different on Saturday, against Adamson.”
The Bulldogs will need to find their range and create an outside threat to open up the Falcons’ tight defensive scheme, which would then allow NU’s slashers and inside operators Omar John, Jake Figueroa and PJ Palacielo to attack the rim.
“I think they’re the number one defensive team. We really need to prepare for Adamson. So, at least, we can perform to the highest level,” added Napa, whose team’s fewest triples made at only three came against the Falcons during their initial meeting.
Steve Nash Enriquez and Paul Francisco will be the designated marksmen for NU after hitting 4-of-4 and 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, respectively, in the last match.
On the other hand, Adamson seeks to rebound from a 70-73 loss to Far Eastern University last Sunday and wiggle out from a three-way logjam at fourth to sixth place.
The Falcons are tied with Ateneo de Manila University and UST with identical 5-5 records.
Meanwhile, defending champion University of the Philippines targets a fourth win in a row against winless University of the Philippines at 2 p.m.
The Fighting Maroons occupy solo second with a 7-3 mark and are coming off an 89-88 escape over the Tigers last Wednesday.
Already out of the semis race with a 0-10 slate, the Red Warriors try to play the spoiler’s role and attempt to end a humiliating 16-game losing skid dating back to the second round of Season 87.
UE, coming off a 74-78 loss to the Blue Eagles, will also welcome the return of head coach Chris Gavina after serving a four-game suspension.