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UAAP: Eagles eye fifth straight win vs hard luck BulldogsBy Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Sunday
(Ynares Center, Antipolo)
2 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU
4 p.m. – UST vs FEU

Defending two-time champion Ateneo stakes its unbeaten record against a National University side hungry to finally score a victory after a string of heartbreaking defeats in the UAAP season 82 men’s basketball at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin in the UAAP Season 82. (MB file photo | Rio Deluvio)

The Blue Eagles seek their fifth straight win in their 2 p.m. tussle against the Bulldogs despite having an eight-day layoff.

“We have a lot of issues, system-wise, that we have to resolve,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. “It’s going to be, you know, looking at our offense, trying to figure out how we can create the highest percentage shots that we can get.”

Efficiency will also be the name of their game with Will Navarro expected to contribute along with star players Thirdy Ravena and Ange Kouame.

For NU, it’s time to end the losing spell.

The Bulldogs could have been on top of the standings after falling short on three games by one point including their 80-79 defeat to University of the Philippines last Wednesday.

Brothers Dave and Shaun Ildefonso will be more determined to steer the squad in nailing that elusive victory along with John Lloyd Clemente, Issa Gaye and RJ Minerva.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas tangle at 4 p.m.

The Tamaraws will draw strength from their 66-55 victory over the La Salle Archers four days back to improve their 2-2 card, while the Tigers aim to recover from a 78-71 loss to the Adamson Falcons to slip at 3-2.

Wendell Comboy, Barkley Ebona and Pat Tchuente carry the fight against FEU in matching up UST’s starters composed of Rhenz Abando, Soulemane Chabi Yo and Renzo Subido.