Falcons seek No. 3 vs resurgent Tigers

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

2 p.m. – AdU vs UST

4 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines — Enjoying its best start in decades, pacesetting Adamson seeks to continue its charge as it eyes win No. 3 today against a rejuvenated University of Santo Tomas side in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tourney at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Although looking great with a 74-70 upset of defending champion Ateneo and a followup 90-76 beating of University of the East, Falcons coach Franz Pumaren stressed this doesn’t make them automatic winners in the 2 p.m. encounter with the rookie-laden Tigers (1-1), who bounced back from an opening defeat with a 76-74 reversal over battle-tested Far Eastern.

“Right now, they’re pretty confident after beating FEU. This just confirmed what I said that you don’t look at the current standing or last result, any given moment, any given game, any team can outduel an opposing team. That’s why we have to be ready,” he said.

Back on track with 87-79 drubbing of University of the Philippines, the Eagles (1-1) gun for their second straight triumph later at 4 p.m. versus a National U side (1-1) aiming to recover from a 76-80 setback to La Salle last Sunday,

Jerrick Ahanmisi, hero of the first game, and Sean Manganti, who scored a career-high 27 against UE, are once more expected to lead the Falcons, alongside dependable big man Papi Sarr.