Eagles face tough Bulldogs

Games today (Mall of Asia Arena)

2 p.m. – UST vs AdU

4 p.m. – AdMU vs NU

MANILA, Philippines - Streaking Ateneo seeks to firm up its hold of the lead when it collides with National U, a team determined to bounce back from a previous setback, today in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Alone at the top with a 3-0 win-loss card, the Blue Eagles set out for their fourth straight victory in their 4 p.m. tussle with the Bulldogs (2-1), who must pass what their coach called a “test of character” following their 55-57 loss to La Salle three days back.

“Very tough game,” Ateneo mentor Bo Perasol said of their matchup with NU. “I think they always have a good system, they’ll always be right there contending. They have the right personnel and most of them have matured under the system of coach Eric (Altamirano) so it’s going to be a tough challenge for us.”

The young Eagles have acquitted themselves in the tourney so far, beating their first three rivals by double-digit spreads, including an emphatic 97-86 drubbing of touted defending champion La Salle last July 20.

Perasol feels his wards, who also defeated cellar-dwellers University of the Philippines (86-75) and Adamson (79-57), could still offer more.

“I know we can do better than what we’re doing right now. We run a system that will really take time (to fully master) but they’re trying to understand it day by day in games and practices,” he said.

Kiefer Ravena, one of the most experienced players on the team, has been a steady force for Ateneo, averaging 23.3 points an outing. He’s been getting sufficient support from the rest, led by rookie Arvin Tolentino who waxed hot with 20 points and eight rebounds in Wednesday’s rout of the Maroons.

Altamirano said the Bulldogs remained on track despite suffering their first loss after a 2-0 start.

“We remain confident.  We’ve set our goals and we’re still on target. What’s important is the ability to bounce back from the loss,” said Altamirano.

“It’s a test of character for us. Whether it’s a won or lost game, you test the  ability to be mentally tough and bounce back,” he said.

Learning from the La Salle game, Altamirano said the Bulldogs should assert themselves against Ateneo.

“We really have to come out to be tough and to be able to assert ourselves in the game against Ateneo,” he said.

In the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser, last year’s runner-up Santo Tomas (1-1) guns for its second straight win as it takes on Adamson (0-2).

The Tigers, who dropped a horrendous 40-59 loss to NU on opening weekend, got back on the groove with a 69-67 victory over Far Eastern U last week and are favored today againt the Falcons, who will play without suspended veteran Don Trollano.