Jake Figueroa (with ball) and the remainder of the Bulldogs are up for one more robust combat towards the Inexperienced Archers. —UAAP PHOTO
La Salle coach Topex Robinson put the whole lot in his Inexperienced Archers’ perspective so far as their blockbuster matchup with Nationwide U goes on Saturday.
“Whether or not you prefer it or not, they (Bulldogs) will play within the Finals or the Closing 4 [at the very least], Robinson stated in acknowledging how formidable the Nationwide U program is, earlier than saying how a lot he would like to play them because the elimination spherical of UAAP Season 86 males’s basketball event continues.
“The chance for us to study [playing] towards NU is gonna be useful for us,” he stated, by no means thoughts the truth that the Bulldogs dealt them a sorry 80-77 additional time defeat simply two weeks earlier than, and that vengeance will not be their battle cry for the 4 p.m. contest set at Mall of Asia Area.
“We [are not going to play] to get again at NU,” he went on. “They’re worthy rivals. Their strengths are our weaknesses. However NU will not be our competitors, our competitors is ourselves.”
The Inexperienced Archers are at 5-3, trailing joint leaders Nationwide and idle College of the Philippines by two video games for prime seeding within the Closing 4, making this an necessary encounter for either side.
However even Nationwide coach Jeff Napa is trying on the sport in the identical approach.
“We truly don’t care who we play,” Napa stated in Filipino. “What we wish to handle is ourselves. Our opponents gained’t win video games for us. We’ll win the video games for ourselves.”
The Bulldogs might be going into the match as the most well liked crew within the event, though there are experiences that place to begin guard Steven Nash Enriquez is scheduled to go underneath the knife to restore a damaged jaw.
Staying wholesome issues
There hasn’t been an official assertion from the varsity relating to Enriquez’ case, although Napa stated one thing about well being being an enormous issue at this level.
“The welfare of my gamers is crucial factor,” Napa stated. “It’s simple desirous about our subsequent opponent, as a result of we are able to put together for them and they’re going to absolutely put together for us.“I want my gamers to be wholesome as a result of we nonetheless have an extended event forward.”
La Salle and NU, like UP and defending champion Ateneo—which can have their return match Sunday—are simply essentially the most stacked groups within the event and are seen to absolutely make up the Closing 4 solid in a number of weeks.
However the event has seen its twists and turns in its first month that nothing appears to be assured in the meanwhile, with the Blue Eagles falling out and in of the highest 4, La Salle having its struggles, the Bulldogs additionally displaying some weak point and the Preventing Maroons having the tendency to blow chilly.Kevin Quiambao, the first-round MVP chief, will play a key position for the Archers shifting ahead along with Evan Nelle. The shape La Salle’s 1-2 punch which is supported by a gifted solid that might be the envy of the opposite groups.
In the meantime, College of the East tries to maintain and College of Santo Tomas within the cellar after they conflict within the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser.
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The Crimson Warriors might be in search of to repeat a blowout win over the Growling Tigers, who have been capable of snap a 19-game shedding streak with a win over Far Jap final week solely to play horridly once more three days later and undergo a 31-point shellacking by the hands of the Maroons. INQ