ATENEO and La Salle’s historic rivalry will extend in the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) as the Blue Eagles and the LSGH Greenies cross paths when the league returns for its Week 5 action.
Both standing at 1-2 in Group A, Ateneo High School and La Salle Greenhills will see action on Sunday, 11:00 a.m., as the two proud institutions look to build momentum in the league that is presented by URATEX, Jollibee, Strong Group Athletics, and in partnership with JETOUR, World Balance, and Molten as official game ball.
“Defense is important for us,” said Greenies guard Andre Bautista, who was pivotal in LSGH’s breakthrough win in the NGBL against Xavier School last week in the league that is supported by Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas as official league outfitter, RICA UPVC Aluminum Glass and Trading Corp., Verleo Catering as official caterer, and Tanduay Athletics.
Bautista emphasized the need for his team to focus more on the defensive side if they hope to enter the crossover playoffs, and he said that it will also be their key to playing much better on the opposite end.
”Defense leads to good offense, and once we play good defense, my teammates will be able to find everyone. We will be able to pass the ball, get some good looks, and that will help us get the win,” he added of the LSGH who is looking for its second win in the league that is also supported by MET Food Corporation, official hydration partners Gatorade & Summit Natural Drinking Water, Converge as official internet provider, and Crocs.
Meanwhile, Lyceum of the Philippines will clash against Far Eastern University-Diliman to open Sunday’s festivities at the Tanduay Gym at 9:00 a.m., while University of Santo Tomas will be looking to extend its three-game winning streak when it goes up against MGC New Life Christian Academy at 1:00 p.m.
In another anticipated NGBL offering, San Beda University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran rekindle their rivalry on Saturday as the two NCAA clubs battle it out at 11:00 a.m. at the Aero Center.
“I’m seeing a lot of good things dito sa campaign namin sa NGBL. The competition is really good, and most of the strong teams are andito talaga. It will be a good stepping board going to our main league,” said Red Cubs head coach Miko Roldan.
And while his team is currently at 2-1 in Group B like the Squires, the third-year head coach of SBU is demanding more from his boys.
“Marami pa rin kaming kailangan, definitely. Nakikita namin kung saan kami mahina at yung kailangan pa naming trabahuhin,” he said.
On the other hand, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA will look to extend its dominance in Group A as they go up against Jose Rizal University in the curtain raiser of Saturday’s games at 9:00 a.m., and Mapua University is also hoping to preserve its unblemished record when they face National University-Nazareth School at 1:00 p.m.
