At the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, games between winless Far Eastern University (0-4) and La Salle (2-2) and Adamson (2-2) and National University (3-1) will take place as the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball competition nears the conclusion of the first round.

Facts to consider:

Bring them back

On Wednesday, La Salle was ready to overtake University of the East for first place in the league and was up by eight midway through the fourth quarter. However, everything went wrong, and La Salle lost 81-74.

With Schonny Winston’s 26-point performance being spoiled, the Green Archers’ loss was bittersweet and ought to serve as inspiration for their upcoming contest.

In this match, Winston, Michael Phillips, and Kevin Quiambao all hope to return to winning ways.

Perilous Time

FEU never anticipated losing its first four games of the season.

However, the Tamaraws were dealt a bad hand, and head coach Olsen Racela is aware that his team has no other option except to improve.

L-Jay Gonzales and company are under pressure to overcome this challenge and keep FEU from posting its worst record in the Final Four era—0-5.

On the way

Adamson has won two straight games after a 0-2 start, but not due to Jerom Lastimosa.

For the Soaring Falcons, players like Vince Magbuhos, Lenda Douanga, and Cedrick Manzano have all emerged, forming a strong supporting cast that can live up to the preseason expectations set for them.

Now that Adamson wants to play for the best teams in the league, consistency is the only thing that will matter.

HIGHLIGHT PERFORMANCE

With its surprise 80-75 victory over University of the Philippines last Wednesday, NU made a powerful statement.

As Coach Jeff Napa received many heroes after that remarkable victory over the defending champions, Steve Nash Enriquez made his successful comeback to the Bulldogs’ camp.

However, without a follow-up, all of those efforts would be for naught. NU is aware that in order to truly demonstrate its sincerity, it needs to defeat Adamson.