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The Ateneo Blue Eagles look to improve to 3-1. Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports
MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Ateneo de Manila University will try to break a three-way tie for second place when they take on winless University of the East (UE) in the UAAP Season 81 men's basketball tournament on Wednesday.
At 2-1, the Blue Eagles are currently tied for second place along with Far Eastern University (FEU) and De La Salle University. They are favored to claim a third consecutive victory against the Red Warriors, who have lost their first three assignments by an average margin of 17.6 points per game.
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin assured that they will not underestimate the Red Warriors, despite their poor record.
"I don't expect anything from them other than their best game. Every single UAAP team that is out there to confront you, giving their best game, is dangerous," he said, after a 72-46 demolition of National University last Saturday.
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"It's our job as a basketball team to respect our opponent, and I think they deserve our best. We respect them, we will prepare 100% for them and go out and do our best for them," Baldwin added.
Set to take charge once more for Ateneo is Thirdy Ravena, who is averaging 12.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in their first three games. Angelo Kouame also looks to pounce on the small UE frontline.
UE head coach Joe Silva acknowledged that they will be massive underdogs against the defending champions.
"With the system they're running, it's really going to be hard to limit them," said Silva, a former head coach of the Ateneo High School team who is set to face several of his former players – including Ravena and the Nieto twins, Matt and Mike.
"We're going to do our best," he said. "We're hoping to give them a fight."
Silva is hoping to get another big game from veteran forward Alvin Pasaol, who is averaging 24.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game so far this season.
The Red Warriors are coming off an 82-72 loss to La Salle.
Game time is at 1 p.m. at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
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