HOOPS

Bulldogs collide with Blue Eagles, gun for share of top spot

Mark Escarlote · Oct 28, 2026, 1:55 AM

MUCH like their intense first-round meeting, Ian Espinosa of Ateneo and Mo Diassana of NU will be leading their teams in an explosive rematch in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament. — Photograph courtesy of UAAP

Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

2:30 p.m. — NU vs Ateneo

5 p.m. — Adamson vs FEU

Streaking National University (NU) targets a fifth straight win and a share of the top spot in a rematch against Ateneo de Manila University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Motivated to get back at their first-round tormentor, the Bulldogs are going all-out in their 2:30 p.m. tussle.

NU is on a roll with a four-game winning run to build a 6-2 win-loss record behind league-leading University of the Philippines (7-2).

Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa hopes his wards will show the same defensive effort against the Blue Eagles, much like how they shackled Adamson University in their 79-43 blowout win last Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

“We’ll try our best, especially since they are the ones who beat us in the first round. We’ll do our best to compete again on Wednesday. Hopefully, this time it will be to our favor,” Napa said.

It was Ateneo that handed NU its second loss of the season, 87-76, on 3 October.

But the Bulldogs turned into a different animal since then.

Blue Eagles interim mentor Louie Alas is looking at the game against NU as a chance to turn their fortunes around especially with the race for a Final Four tightening up heading into the crucial stretch of the eliminations.

“They are one of the teams on top of the standings. As I’ve said, we need to mature as soon as possible. These players have no other wish but to get into the Final Four,” Alas said.

“So, this game against NU is very crucial. We need to make good decisions down the wire,” he added.

Ateneo showed maturity after staying calm and composed in the endgame to beat Far Eastern University (FEU), 75-72, last Saturday to snap a three-game skid.

The Blue Eagles are bunched in a three-way logjam in fourth to sixth with the Tamaraws and Falcons, sporting an even 4-4 slate.

Meanwhile, Adamson and FEU collide at 5 p.m. with both squads looking to get back up after coming off setbacks.

It has been a difficult stretch for the Tamaraws, losing three matches in a row following a strong 4-1 start.

The Falcons will also hold the psychological advantage after pulling off a come-from-behind win over FEU, 56-53, in the season opener on 13 September.