Tigers out to check skid vs Maroons

MANILA, Philippines - Teams in the lower half of the standings try to prop up their respective bids as they clash in pair of matches in the UAAP seniors basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum today.

UST takes on UP in the 4 p.m. main contest, hoping to snap a two-game skid and stay in the hunt for a Final Four berth heading into the second round of the elims next Thursday.

The Tigers tote a 3-3 card and are in fifth place, 1 1/2 games behind joint third running La Salle and Univ. of the East. They are coming off a sorry double overtime 92-101 setback to the Archers and an embarrassing 63-90 loss to the Far Eastern U Tams.

But despite its 1-5 slate, UP remains a threat with the Maroons nearly topping the Warriors before succumbing to pressure in overtime, 77-69, last Thursday.

Adamson and National U, also with 1-5 cards, tangle in the 2 p.m. opener, each hoping to come up with a victory and keep their flickering hopes alive.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are looking to reassert their domination over the Maroons, whom they have beaten in their last five matches.

UP, which dealt defending champion Ateneo’s lone loss in the season, last won over UST, 70-67, on Aug. 31 three years ago.

“There’s still hope, we’re not giving up,” said UP coach Aboy Castro.

Adamson actually swept NU in their two-game encounter last season with the Falcons out to re-stamp their class over the Bulldogs, who last won over Adamson two years ago.

“We need to keep our focus all game and maybe pray for some breaks to go our way,” said Adamson mentor Leo Austra, whose Falcons lost their five games by an average of 3.8 points.