AFTER seeing games set at the weekend shelved because of Typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut), the University Athletic Association of the Philippines returns today with a double-header set at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
Scheduled to play are the Adamson Soaring Falcons (1-0) against the University of the East Red Warriors (0-1) at 2 p.m. and Season 81 hosts National University Bulldogs (1-0) squaring off with the De La Salle Green Archers (0-1) at 4 p.m.
The Falcons are coming off a rousing debut in the new season, defeating the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, 74-70, in their opener on Sept. 9
Adamson showed a “no backing down” mindset and took the fight to the reigning champions, coming up with big plays after big plays on both ends of the court to steadily frustrate the Eagles and eventually book the win.
But despite the big victory, the Falcons are not getting ahead of themselves and instead said they are focusing on getting better as the tournament progresses.
“We still have to prove ourselves. This opening game win over Ateneo won’t make us a championship team. We’re still a team struggling to improve our position last season. I think we still have a lot of work to do,” said Adamson coach Franz Pumaren as he tempered the “favorites” tag given to them in Season 81.
UE, meanwhile, failed to give new coach Joe Silva his first victory at the helm at the onset after losing to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 87-58, on opening day on Sept. 8.
The Warriors competed well in the opening half in said game but unravelled the rest of the way to bow to the Maroons.
Alvin Pasaol was the lone player in double-digits in scoring for UE with 14, which further underscored the struggles of the team in its debut.
Meanwhile, also looking to stay unscathed early in the tournament is NU, a 75-70 winner over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers on Sept. 8.
The Bulldogs rode on the efforts of the Ildefonso brothers, Dave and Sean, who combined for 29 points to stave off a spirited challenge from the much-improved Tigers.
NU coach Jamike Jarin, however, did not put much weight on it, saying they are still a young team that “needs to mature fast to compete this season.”
The season hosts face today a De La Salle team which is out to bounce back after losing to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 68-61, on Sept. 9.
SUBIDO PLAYER OF THE WEEK
For his stellar play in giving UST its first win of the season, Tiger Renzo Subido was named the first player of the week awardee for Season 81.
Scoring 18 points, apart from steady leadership on the floor, Subido played a key role in the Tigers’ 76-74 victory over FEU on Sept. 12 and saw his team improve to 1-1 early in the tournament.
In winning the award, handed out by the league press corps, Subido, 22, edged out Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, UP’s Juan Gomez de Liano, and FEU’s Prince Orizu. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
