Jake Figueroa (with ball) and the remainder of the Bulldogs are up for one more robust battle towards the Inexperienced Archers. —UAAP PHOTO
La Salle coach Topex Robinson put every thing in his Inexperienced Archers’ perspective so far as their blockbuster matchup with Nationwide U goes on Saturday.
“Whether or not you prefer it or not, they (Bulldogs) will play within the Finals or the Ultimate 4 [at the very least], Robinson stated in acknowledging how formidable the Nationwide U program is, earlier than saying how a lot he would like to play them because the elimination spherical of UAAP Season 86 males’s basketball event continues.
“The chance for us to study [playing] towards NU is gonna be useful for us,” he stated, by no means thoughts the truth that the Bulldogs dealt them a sorry 80-77 additional time defeat simply two weeks earlier than, and that vengeance shouldn’t be their battle cry for the 4 p.m. contest set at Mall of Asia Area.
“We [are not going to play] to get again at NU,” he went on. “They’re worthy rivals. Their strengths are our weaknesses. However NU shouldn’t be our competitors, our competitors is ourselves.”
The Inexperienced Archers are at 5-3, trailing joint leaders Nationwide and idle College of the Philippines by two video games for high seeding within the Ultimate 4, making this an essential encounter for each side.
However even Nationwide coach Jeff Napa is wanting on the sport in the identical manner.
“We truly don’t care who we play,” Napa stated in Filipino. “What we need to care for is ourselves. Our opponents gained’t win video games for us. We are going to win the video games for ourselves.”
The Bulldogs will likely be going into the match as the most popular crew within the event, though there are stories that start line guard Steven Nash Enriquez is scheduled to go underneath the knife to restore a damaged jaw.
Staying wholesome issues
There hasn’t been an official assertion from the college relating to Enriquez’ case, although Napa stated one thing about well being being an enormous issue at this level.
“The welfare of my gamers is a very powerful factor,” Napa stated. “It’s simple fascinated with our subsequent opponent, as a result of we are able to put together for them and they’re going to absolutely put together for us.“I want my gamers to be wholesome as a result of we nonetheless have an extended event forward.”
La Salle and NU, like UP and defending champion Ateneo—which could have their return match Sunday—are simply probably the most stacked groups within the event and are seen to absolutely make up the Ultimate 4 forged in just a few weeks.
However the event has seen its twists and turns in its first month that nothing appears to be assured for the time being, with the Blue Eagles falling out and in of the highest 4, La Salle having its struggles, the Bulldogs additionally exhibiting some weak spot and the Combating Maroons having the tendency to blow chilly.Kevin Quiambao, the first-round MVP chief, will play a key function for the Archers transferring ahead along with Evan Nelle. The shape La Salle’s 1-2 punch which is supported by a proficient forged that may very well be the envy of the opposite groups.
In the meantime, College of the East tries to maintain and College of Santo Tomas within the cellar once they conflict within the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser.
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The Crimson Warriors will likely be in search of to repeat a blowout win over the Growling Tigers, who have been capable of snap a 19-game dropping streak with a win over Far Japanese final week solely to play horridly once more three days later and endure a 31-point shellacking by the hands of the Maroons. INQ