Ateneo de Manila University has locked up the UAAP men’s basketball tournament top seed for the fifth consecutive season after beating Adamson University on Wednesday, 66-61.
The Blue Eagles will have a twice-to-beat advantage come the Final Four against the winner of De La Salle University-Adamson University playoff match for the fourth and final spot.
But for Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga, rankings do not matter anymore in post-season play.
“It’s the Final Four already and we can’t get too caught up that we’re number one,” said Tab Baldwin’s top deputy. “We all know entering the Final Four it’s a whole new ball game and we’re gonna make sure that we don’t relax or let our guard down.
“We have to be ready for whoever wins Adamson or La Salle.”
Ateneo swept Adamson in the elimination round with a dominant 76-55 win in the first round before this tight second round match.
Against arch-rival Green Archers, they split the two matches as La Salle took the first game, 83-78, before the Blue Eagles bounced back in the next, 68-54.
The knockout match between the Soaring Falcons and the Green Archers will be on Sunday, December 4, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Going by the league’s schedule pattern, the Final Four may start next Wednesday, December 7, which will give Ateneo a whole week of rest and preparation.
“One big advantage for us is they’re gonna be knocking each other out and we’re gonna be resting, practicing, and preparing, and we’re gonna be watching the next game,” said Arespacochaga.
“I think that’s a very big advantage for us that’s why we wanted to really get this win today. This win today is very big for us,” he added.
However, that pro can also be a con for them in an instant and it’s something the Blue Eagles are well aware of.
A week of no real game is already a long break in the UAAP, which has teams playing twice a week.
“Disadvantage probably they have momentum going to our game because medyo matagal pa before we play them so they have that advantage,” shared the long-time Ateneo assistant coach.
“Hopefully, it will be more to our advantage rather than to them na nagkaroon sila ng isang crucial knockout game.”
