Jake Figueroa (with ball) and the remainder of the Bulldogs are up for an additional powerful battle towards the Inexperienced Archers. —UAAP PHOTO
La Salle coach Topex Robinson put every little 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 Last 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 be taught [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 extra time defeat simply two weeks earlier than, and that vengeance just isn’t their battle cry for the 4 p.m. contest set at Mall of Asia Enviornment.
“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 just isn’t 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 prime seeding within the Last 4, making this an necessary encounter for either side.
However even Nationwide coach Jeff Napa is wanting on the recreation in the identical manner.
“We truly don’t care who we play,” Napa stated in Filipino. “What we wish to handle is ourselves. Our opponents received’t win video games for us. We’ll win the video games for ourselves.”
The Bulldogs might be going into the match as the most well liked workforce within the event, though there are stories that place to begin guard Steven Nash Enriquez is scheduled to go below the knife to restore a damaged jaw.
Staying wholesome issues
There hasn’t been an official assertion from the college concerning Enriquez’ case, although Napa stated one thing about well being being a giant issue at this level.
“The welfare of my gamers is crucial factor,” Napa stated. “It’s straightforward excited about our subsequent opponent, as a result of we will put together for them and they’ll certainly put together for us.“I want my gamers to be wholesome as a result of we nonetheless have a protracted event forward.”
La Salle and NU, like UP and defending champion Ateneo—which may have their return match Sunday—are simply essentially the most stacked groups within the event and are seen to certainly make up the Last 4 forged in a number of weeks.
However the event has seen its twists and turns in its first month that nothing appears to be assured in the intervening time, 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 position for the Archers shifting 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 after they conflict within the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser.
The Purple Warriors might be looking for to repeat a blowout win over the Growling Tigers, who had 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 undergo a 31-point shellacking by the hands of the Maroons. INQ
