Falcons, Bulldogs square off

MANILA, Philippines — Tail-enders National U and Adamson try to revive their slim semifinals hopes when they clash today in the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Currently at the bottom of the team standings, the Bulldogs (2-7) and the Falcons (3-6) gun for each other’s heads at 2 p.m.  in a bid to stay in the Final Four race.

University of the Philippines (5-3), meanwhile, hopes to get back on track against UE (3-6) at 4 p.m. and maintain hold of second spot nearing the halfway mark of this second round. The Maroons will play without mentor Bo Perasol who is still serving a three-game suspension that ends on Oct. 16 against Santo Tomas.

NU and Adamson are coming off different paths entering this crucial battle as the Bulldogs asserted mastery of the Tamaraws with a crucial 85-79 overtime win while the Soaring Falcons succumbed to their fourth straight loss after falling short against Ateneo, 80-74.

The win pushed the Bulldogs closer in the logjam at the middle of the pack, and a win today would get them even nearer, leading to coach Jamike Jarin’s belief and confidence on his wards to get the job done and still make a last playoff hurrah.

“The key, the formula is just believing. We have to keep believing,” said Jarin, who is crossing his fingers this round and sway the tide in their favor after an unfortunate first round marred by bitter losses both in regulation and in overtime.

The Falcons, despite the losing streak, are not pushing the panic button just yet as mentor Franz Pumaren remain confident that they can sneak through the Final Four with still five games left.

“I won’t leave them in the heat of the battle,” said the seasoned coach, who braved the pain from a medical (kidney stones) procedure last week to still be with his wards in their gallant stand against unbeaten Ateneo.

“Almost all of the teams except Ateneo are on part with each other. The way I look at it, we’re still gonna make it to the Final Foul. It maybe through the hard way but I’m confident about that,” he added.

Brothers Dave and Shaun Ildefonso together with Migz Oczon, JV Gallego and Issa Gayes have been tasked to lead the Bulldogs’ charge against Jerrick Ahanmisi, Val Chauca, Simon Camacho, Jerom Lastimosa and Lenda Douanga who are ready to take flight to snap the Soaring Falcon’s slump.