University of the Philippines tries to inch closer from sweeping the first round of elimination when it tackles De La Salle in the main event of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Malick Diouf-led Fighting Maroons (5-0) and the bounce back-seeking Green Archers (3-2) meet at 6 p.m. in the finale of the quadruple header.
While the Fighting Maroons are coming off the most lopsided and dominant win this season over the still winless University of Santo Tomas last week, 110-79, they are also due for a tough last two games against La Salle and defending champion Ateneo.
Carrying the momentum of their previous win, the Fighting Maroons are off to their best start in the tournament since 1997.
However, La Salle is itching to immediately get back on track following an 80-77 overtime beating from National University.
The Green Archers will continue to lean on Kevin Quiambao, whose season-high 25-point, 11-rebound explosion was completely spoiled by the Bulldogs.
Both squads held an even head-to-head record from last season and should put up another exciting matchup.
In the first serving of the busy playdate, Ateneo (2-3) battles the hapless UST (0-5) at 10:00 a.m.
It’s been an up-and-down season so far for the reigning champions as they are coming off wounded from another overtime defeat, this time against Far Eastern University Tamaraws, who, in turn, snapped a four-game slide for their first victory this season.
Meanwhile, another squad in the Growling Tigers is hopeful to stage the same breakthrough against the Blue Eagles after remaining winless in five outings.
UST has hit a new rock bottom after stretching its losing streak to 18 games which it owed from last year, where it finished 1-13 in the Season 85 standings, its longest in the school’s history which surpassed the former record of 17 straight losses.
In the next play, NU (4-1) is looking to extend its winning run to three games at the expense of the struggling University of the East (2-3) at 12 noon.
Coming off contrasting results, the Bulldogs took the solo second lead in the standings after outlasting the Green Archers, while the Red Warriors are seeking to end their back-to-back losses.
NU had its balanced effort to thank for thriving early into the season and will continue to rely on its roster's combined talents.
In another matchup, Adamson (3-2) and FEU (1-4) are both equally inspired heading into their 2 p.m. encounter.
The Soaring Falcons had to manage and hold down their fort sans their star play Jerom Lastimosa, who is projected for a second-round return following his recovery from a knee injury.
However, the Tamaraws won’t be pushovers after their spirited and morally-boosting win over the defending champs.
The game should produce an interesting battle between both teams.