MANILA – The University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers will meet the streaking De La Salle Green Archers in the main game of Sunday’s 72nd University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) at the Araneta Coliseum.

The main seniors’ match will take place at 4 p.m. after the University of the East-Adamson University encounter at 2 p.m.

Only half a game separates UST (3-1) and La Salle (3-2) after contrasting starts in the tournament.

UST maintains a deadly offensive arsenal behind the tandem of wingmen Dylan Ababou and Khasim Mirza.

La Salle, on the other hand, has a significantly improved defense that generated a three-game winning streak. This was after a 0-2 start, DLSU’s worst since joining UAAP in 1986.

“UST is rookie-laden like us but they have veteran leaders in (Dylan) Ababou and (Khasim) Mirza. That’s something that we don’t have,” said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren.

Pumaren is particularly impressed with Ababou, who leads the league in scoring with an average of 21.3 points per game.

“Dylan (Ababou) is a cut above the rest in his position. Even during his rookie year, nakita ko na may potensyal ang batang yan. I even told my coaching staff to watch out for him and he’s showing us now,” Pumaren said.

Ababou and Mirza have a combined average of almost 40 points per contest.

This is in contrast with DLSU’s stats, which indicated that not a single Archer averaged in double figures. James Mangahas’ team-leading 8.4 points per game pale in comparison.

While the Archers lack offensively, they compensate on defense. They have limited their last three opponents to just 58.3 points per game, a far cry from UST’s average scoring of 96.3 in its three wins.

Meanwhile, the Red Warriors (3-2) are seeking to get back on the winning track after they were derailed by UST, 88-92, in their last outing.

They will be facing a hard-luck Falcons (1-4), whose string of losses was extended by Ateneo last Thursday.

At FEU Gym in Morayta, four games are also scheduled in the women’s play starting at 9 a.m.  By Alder T. Almo

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