La Salle, Ateneo eye crucial win as twice-to-beat race heats up

MANILA, Philippines — De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University, locked in a three-way tie with Far Eastern University for third to fifth places, renew their storied rivalry as both teams continue their Final Four push on Saturday in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men's Basketball Tournament at the Araneta Coliseum. The Green Archers know that repeating their 83-76 first-round victory over the Blue Eagles will be no easy task when the rivals collide on Halloween night at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, National University looks to get back on the winning track and strengthen its hold on the No. 2 spot against a struggling University of Santo Tomas side in the 2:30 p.m. curtain-raiser. The Bulldogs edged the Growling Tigers, 87-85, in an overtime thriller during the first round, with Reinhard Jumamoy banking in the game-winning triple. Carrying a 6-3 record, NU hopes to keep within striking distance of University of the Philippines, which currently leads the standings with a 7-2 slate. UST, meanwhile, holds a 4-5 record and is tied with Adamson University for sixth place. The Growling Tigers can ill afford to drop more games if they hope to keep their bid for a third consecutive Final Four appearance on track. La Salle...