Preview: UP tries to dodge 0-14 season

MANILA, Philippines — The elimination round of the 76th UAAP men’s basketball tournament comes to a close this Wednesday, September 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as University of the East tries to end their campaign on a bright note when they go up against University of the Philippines, who are just trying to avoid yet another winless season.

UE Red Warriors (6-7) vs UP Fighting Maroons (0-13)

Game time – 2:00 PM

First round meeting: UE (62) – (57) UP

Charles Mammie – 17 points, 22 rebounds

READ: UE survives late scare to beat UP

Why UE will win: UE, in every position in the court, is clearly the more talented side of the two. Mammie would likely have an easy day down low. Lordy Casajeros, Ralf Olivares, and the rest of the Red Warriors will want a last hurrah before the curtains close on their UAAP careers. Even without their star guard Roi Sumang – who would likely sit this game due to a recent injury – the Recto crew is easily the favoured side in this showdown.

Why UP will win: This will be the last shot they have for that first win that has eluded them for more than one season. UP’s roster may look puny compared to the rest of the UAAP, but what they do have is a team with some potential. They may be looked down as whipping boys of the league but they sure have the ability to upset teams, that is, if they are still hungry for winning.

Key match-up:

Ralf Olivares (11.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG) vs Sam Marata (14 PPG, 3.5 RPG)

Olivares, as long as he controls his temper, is one of the brightest you could pull out of the Red Warriors lineup. He has done a brilliant job playing a supporting role to the inside-out tandem of Mammie and Sumang throughout the season. Against the toothless defense of the Maroons, expect him to continue making a living out of those mismatches.

Marata, on the other hand, has been the most consistent performer wearing Maroon in Season 76. He has led UP in scoring in a regular manner and really, one could not think of anyone else aside from him to inflict the damage for the Fighting Maroons.

X-factors:

UE: Chris Javier: After a breakout season of sorts last year, the big man has struggled so far in Season 76. He has not found his rhythm at all and has been relegated to a non-factor in most of UE’s games. With one game left to prove his worth, against UP will be the perfect time for Javier to earn the trust of his team once more – and the confidence he would need – as they get back to the drawing boards for the next season.

UP: Chris Ball: Another player who fell short of expectations is Ball. In a squad with not enough firepower, much has been anticipated from him but he seems to play to the level of his teammates. He has scored a conservative (almost) 6 points a game on top of 8 boards – the second best from UP. If they plan to fight in their last scheduled game this season, he must free himself from that funk and step up for the Fighting Maroons.

What this game means: For this season, practically nothing anymore. This would however be coach Rey Madrid’s best chance to take his first W as the Diliman crew is again in danger of finishing the season winless. – With reports from Levi Verora/Rappler.com