By NIKOLE JAVIER
Defending champion University of the Philippines seeks to extend its winning streak when it goes up against Adamson in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Fighting Maroons, who are keeping a close eye on points to improve after the first round, are coming off a 75-63 payback against National University Bulldogs last Oct. 30 to improve to a 7-1 record.
On the other end, the Soaring Falcons (3-4), who forced the Fighting Maroons into overtime in the last round, will bank on their huge win over De La Salle last Oct. 22 and try to catch the reigning champions blindsided in their 1 p.m. clash.
Meanwhile, last season’s finalist Ateneo will lean on its seniors Dave Ildefonso, Bj Andrade and reigning Most Valuable Player Ange Kouame when it battles NU in their 6:30 p.m. matchup.
The Blue Eagles (5-2), who have so far continued to respond to head coach Tab Baldwin’s challenge, seek to keep the solo second with Kouame putting up key defensive plays on the court.
In other games, La Salle will try to bounce back when it tussles with FEU at the 4:30 p.m. tipoff.
Schonny Winston, who is leading the MVP race with a considerable margin against his closest rivals, will be put for another test on the floor for the Green Archers as they collide with the streaking Tamaraws (3-5).
La Salle, which found itself with a 3-4 win-loss card, will get down to serious business if it wishes for another spot in the playoffs.
In the curtain-raiser, University of the East will try to snap its three-game losing streak at the expense of University of Santo Tomas in their 11:00 a.m. encounter.
The Red Warriors couldn’t accomplish the same feat when it succumbed to the Tamaraws last Oct. 30 and fell into a 3-5 hole.
The Growling Tigers, meanwhile, wound up sliding down after their opening win and have since continued to take a beating with a 1-6 record.