Moment of truth for Eagles, Maroons

MANILA, Philippines — Dynasty against destiny is the name of the game as three-time reigning champion Ateneo and gritty challenger University of the Philippines engage in a fight for all the marbles at the MOA Arena in Pasay City tonight.

The Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons split the first two games in fierce duels, setting the stage for one final showdown that will determine who will bring home the UAAP Season 84 crown.

A win by Ateneo in the 6 p.m. duel would extend its reign in the league to a fourth straight season while UP’s triumph would deliver it to the “Promised Land” – at last after 36 long years.

Facing the specter of dethronement after an 81-74 overtime loss in Game 1, the Eagles fought with a steady resolve and dragged the Maroons to one more game with a 69-66 decision in Game 2 Wednesday.

“You can’t really separate these two teams very much from one another so I think Game 3 is going to be potentially an epic game. We’re excited that we’re there,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin.

The Eagles and the Maroons are 2-2 against each other this season going to the winner-take-all setto.

Ateneo scored a 90-81 win in the first round of the eliminations then UP got back with a stinging 84-83 win in the second round to deny the Eagles a 14-0 sweep and an outright passage to the finals.

“Nothing is easy in this series. It’s tough and if ever there’s a flip of a coin, Game 3 could be that,” said Baldwin, crediting the wonders of collegiate coaching debut of UP’s Goldwin Monteverde.

The Maroons, who also ended Ateneo’s 39-game, three-year winning streak, hope to be consistent on what they’re trying to do.

“The formula in basketball has to be consistent in playing as a team offensively and defensively. We had a slow start last game and our defense was not that tight but we’re gonna work on it,” said Monteverde, the author of the National U dynasty in Philippine high school ball.

“For one thing, the team takes pride that we never give up. Lumalaban kami hanggang dulo,” he added as the Fighting Maroons aim to fulfill a date with destiny for the first time since their 1986 championship.