Angelo Coume of Atenio and Justin Baltzer of La Salle. UAAP file photo
MANILA, Philippines – Atenio and La Salle put their unbeaten records in line for the first time in the epidemic-era clash at the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
The Blue Eagles and Green Archers will clash at an empty venue at 7pm as this will be the last closed door match after the league has decided to open its gates to fans from next week.
Atenio remain unbeaten after three games with 16.3 wins so far this season and have extended the streak of 29 consecutive wins since October 2018.
Three-time champion coach Tab Baldwin emphasized that these games are now behind them as they prepare to build a massively improved La Salle under new mentor Derrick Pumaren, who won their first three games thanks to the efforts of Justin Baltzer, Mark Noy, Evan Nelle and Deschamps. Winston and Mike Phillips.
“I saw something on TV. They are fast. I think the Phillips brothers (Mike and Ben) have some depth in their frontline, the bucket is playing well, Deschon Winston seems to be a serious talent, and we know the guards are in the lineup with Nele and Nonay, ”Baldwin said after their 78th. 48-win win over Adamson on Thursday.
“There is a lot of talent out there. It’s a very good La Salle team. They like the pressure game so it should be an interesting matchup, ”he added.
Pumaren, on the other hand, led La Salle to a 3-0 lead for the first time in 2018 from a team led by Ben Embala in 2018 after beating Far Eastern University, 75-65 on Thursday.
The new Green Archers coaches are looking forward to their previous win as they face a tough test against Baldwin’s program that has dominated the last three UAAP seasons and wants to win a fourth consecutive title with a deep roster led by Ang Koume, SJ Belenzel, Dave Ildefenso. TO and Rafi Verano.
“We know for a fact that Atenio is here and the team to lose the barometer. We just have to focus more on Atenio and we know there is a bigger game ahead, “Pumaren said.” We just have to go back to the drawing board with what to do against Atenio. We will be able to solve it. “
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines (2-1) scored its third consecutive win against the undefeated University of the East (0-3) at 1pm.
The FEU and National University, both tied at 1-2, clashed to finish their respective two-game skids at 10 a.m., while the University of Santo Thomas (1-2) faced Adamson (1-2) at 4 p.m. Wants his second win in a row
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