UST targets solo lead; all eyes on FEU vs NU

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas guns for pole position against skidding University of the East while co-leader Far Eastern U mixes it up with resurgent National U in a rematch of last year’s finalists highlighting today’s UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tigers, who are enjoying their best start since Season 75 when they carded 6-1 in the first round, seek to duplicate the feat in the 2 p.m. match up with the Warriors (2-4) who are out to snap a two-game slide and boost their standing.

The UST-UE setto serves as an explosive curtain-raiser to the 4 p.m. mainer featuring the first meeting between the Tams (5-1) and the defending champion Bulldogs (3-3) since their blockbuster title showdown last year.

The Tigers have proved their worth in the early going of the tournament, hacking out a pair of come-from-behind victories over Ateneo and La Salle in their last two assignments, but they are far from being satisfied.

“We want to keep on improving everyday, every practice, every game,” said UST coach Bong dela Cruz, who is again expected to bank on veteran trio Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag, and Karim Abdul, and a solid support crew led by Louie Vigil and Mario Bonleon.

Dela Cruz has credited their fine showing to their chemistry.

“Right now, we’re not a team, we’re a family. That’s what’s keeping us going,” the second-year coach said.

To arrest their skid, UE coach Derrick Pumaren urged his wards to believe in themselves more.

“We’ve been playing like we’re showing too much respect to the other teams. The boys seem like they don’t believe they can play and beat the opponent. That’s our main problem. It’s not the way we play but our confidence level,” he said.

The Tams and the Bulldogs, who played a tight finale witnessed by over 25,000 last year, meet again in a duel of streaking squads. The Tams are on a four-game roll while the Bulldogs have recovered from a 0-3 start and racked up three successive wins. Both enjoyed a 10-day break since their last outings.

“NU already got their rhythm. We always believe, even when they were struggling with three losses, they only need one win to start rolling. They have the experience, they have good players, they have the best import so they’re a tough opponent. And now they have momentum,” said FEU’s Nash Racela.

“It’s good to have three straight wins especially coming from 0-3, but we still have a long way to go,” said NU’s Eric Altamirano.