Adamson battles tough NU defense

By Josiah Albelda Posted Jul 30th 2014

National University faces yet another test of character.

Riding high on a big victory over the weekend, the Bulldogs clash with winless Adamson University in the 77th UAAP men's basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Game time is at 4 p.m.

NU's defense worked wonders in letting Ateneo de Manila University go through a horrendous shooting night, and coach Eric Altamirano would have to lean on that anew to beat the Soaring Falcons.

"We just relied on sheer defense," the multit-titled coach said after their 64-60 win over the Blue Eagles. "It boiled down to the character ng team, never giving up and closing that game."

They might not encounter similarly rough sailing against Adamson, but Altamirano's wards, who will be heavily favored in today's matchup, will have no room for letting up.

"We cannot be complacent against Adamson," he said. "They're a young team pero nakikita mo na they can keep up with veteran teams." 

The Falcons have not won a game in three tries this season, but came tantalizingly close to swinging the upset axe on University of Santo Tomas in their last outing.

Adamson led by nine points in the third quarter, but scored just four in the last 10 minutes to fall 49-50 to the Growling Tigers off a last-second free-throw by Kent Lao.

"UST did not win the game," said an adamant coach Kenneth Duremdes. "We gave it to them."   

The game will air live on ABS-CBN Sports+Action channel 23, BALLS HD SkyCable 167, uaapsports.tv, iwantv.com, TFC Bro and tfc.tv with a same day replay at 11 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34/ Destiny Cable channel 36.