MANILA — Defending champions De La Salle University, already locked into the Final 4, are focused on extending their winning streak when they face long-time rivals Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament this Saturday. The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena, marking the league’s return following game cancellations due to Tropical Storm Kristine.
Ateneo, whose game against Adamson University was among those postponed last Wednesday, now shifts its focus entirely to La Salle. The Green Archers currently boast the league’s top six-game winning streak, while Ateneo has gained momentum with back-to-back victories, improving to a 3-6 record—just a half-game behind University of Santo Tomas (4-6) for a Final 4 slot.
Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin highlighted the team’s growth through their challenging season start, saying, “Because we had such a tough start, it allows us, I guess, to be a little bit more laser-focused on how these guys are growing and developing as players.” He added that while the pressure to perform remains, their commitment to a process-driven approach is unwavering.
When the rivals last met on September 15, La Salle secured a decisive 74-61 victory. With a 9-1 record, the Green Archers now aim to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4. La Salle coach Topex Robinson shared the excitement surrounding the rivalry, emphasizing the historical weight of the match-up. “You just forget everything because it’s Ateneo,” Robinson said, noting that the team feels privileged to participate in such a celebrated rivalry.
In other games, University of the East (5-3) will try to get back on track against National University (2-7) at 2 p.m. after their five-game winning streak was snapped by La Salle in a 68-77 loss at the start of the second round. With back-to-back losses placing them at the bottom of the standings, NU’s Bulldogs cannot afford further slip-ups to stay in the Final Four hunt.
For the women’s division, undefeated National University seeks a ninth consecutive win against UE at 10 a.m., while Ateneo attempts to break a three-game losing streak when they meet De La Salle at noon.