Maroons stake clean slate against Falcons

MANILA, Philippines — With its title redemption campaign on track, host University of the Philippines is keen on pulling away from the pack as the only unbeaten team so far in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

The Maroons, the heavy title favorites after three straight finals appearances, have beaten all their first four assignments by double digits as reigning champion La Salle hit a bump to slide to second place.

And the fourth-running Adamson could be next on the kill list for UP at 4:30 p.m. for the first match of the Saturday twin bill also featuring the dark horse and streaking University of the East (2-2) against the struggling contender National U (1-4) at 6:30 p.m.

For UP though, it’s still a one-game-at-a-time mentality with no revenge mindset for now after back-to-back runner-up finishes to Ateneo and La Salle in the past two seasons. The Maroons snapped a 36-year title drought in Season 84 to ignite their three straight championship appearances.

“We’re not talking about the championship (yet) but just taking it one game at a time. We’re taking it one quarter at a time and one possession at a time,” said deputy mentor Christian Luanzon in lieu of chief tactician Goldwin Monteverde after a 69-58 win over Far Eastern U.