Ateneo not taking UE lightly

MANILA, Philippines — It’s a top-meets-bottom affair but joint leader Ateneo treats today’s UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball matchup with cellar-dwelling University of the East as if it were a playoff.

The solo lead-seeking Eagles (7-2), who are fresh from scoring payback against first-round tormentor Far Eastern, want to stay the course and avoid getting caught in an ambush by the upset-conscious Red Warriors (1-8) in the 2 p.m. curtain raiser at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

“As you’ve seen in this league, any team can win against any other team in any given night. That’s why we have to make sure our eyes are focused on the next game. We’ll bring the same mentality, the same focus we brought in the previous game against FEU,” said AdMU assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.

The defending champions completed their vengeful 82-62 demolition of the Tams last Saturday without three key players in Thirdy Ravena, who served his one-game suspension, and twins Matt and Mike Nieto, who are recovering from dengue. Ravena returns to action today while the Nietos’ availability is uncertain.

Meanwhile, the Tams seek to get back on track as they battle University of the Philippines (4-5) at 4 p.m.