Ateneo seeks to complete a title sweep in the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament later today at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles are toting a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three finals matchup, and is at the cusp of clinching their first title since 2012 with their 76-70 victory in Game 1 last Saturday.
Head coach Tab Baldwin expects both teams to be physical, as reflected by Matt Nieto's cut due to being a recipient of an inadvertent Ben Mbala elbow. He says, "La Salle won't be any different on Wednesday. It would be silly to think otherwise because that's their "ammo" and they are good at it." The former national team head coach also expects the defending champions to make the necessary adjustments in order to extend the series to the weekend.
Such physicality is getting more spotlight as a result of game footage spreading online showing extra-curricular activities not being caught by the officials.
On the other hand, La Salle hopes their stellar record at The Big Dome will be to their advantage, having never lost at the hallowed arena this season. They are also hoping to be buoyed in part with the Individual Awarding Ceremonies that will take place before the game, with Mbala set to be officially awarded the MVP trophy. The Cameroon international looks to bounce back from his worst offensive performance as a Green Archer, limited to just eight points on seven attempts from the field. (c/o Kim Karlo Castro)
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