Ateneo, UST kick off title showdown
Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
12 noon – FEU vs UST (women’s semis)
4 p.m. – Ateneo vs UST (men’s finals)
History and destiny will be the name of the game when unbeaten Ateneo shoots for the stars against red-hot Santo Tomas in Game 1 of the UAAP finals today at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Taking on separate journeys, the Eagles and Tigers cross paths at 4 p.m. with both squads trying to draw first blood in the best-of-three showdown.
Ateneo, the back-to-back champion, is seeking to etch its mark in history as the first school to ever sweep an entire tournament in the UAAP Final Four era. Not even the Ateneo squad that won five straight titles until 2012 was able to score the feat.
The Eagles, seeking their 11th UAAP title, swept the double-round elims at 14-0 record to book an outright finals ticket.
Santo Tomas went through the eye of the needle to make it to the finals, beating FEU and then twice-to-beat University of the Philippines in the stepladder semis.
The Tigers, who survived three knockout games in seven days, are eyeing a Cinderella finish from being the fourth-ranked team after the elims. They are seeking to end a 13-year title drought and a 19th championship.
Amidst a perfect season and a 24-game win streak dating back to last season, coach Tab Baldwin has warned his wards against lowering their guard, especially with in-form Tigers standing in their way.
“We understand that this is a significant accomplishment for a basketball team, to go through a season undefeated. But as you all know, the job isn’t done,” he said.
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