Maroons clash with Warriors, eye share of early lead

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

11:30 a.m. – NU vs FEU (Women)

1:30 p.m. – UP vs UE (Women)

4:30 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Men)

6:30 p.m. – UP vs UE (Men)

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning champion La Salle and University of Santo Tomas zoomed ahead of the pack right out of the gates in the UAAP Season 87 opening weekend, but host University of the Philippines is keen on following suit to gain a piece of early lead.

One of the heavy title favorites, the Maroons took care of business with ease against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the opener last week in a 77-61 win and want no let-up against the dangerous UE Red Warriors at 6:30 p.m. today.

Another win would propel UP to a joint leadership with La Salle and Santo Tomas, both at 2-0, nearing the halfway mark of the first round for a huge capital to its Final Four hopes.

But coach Goldwin Monteverde said his wards are not in a race with other teams but against themselves, warning against complacency opposite the capable squad of Jack Santiago.

“To improve every game as we play together is our goal as the tournament progresses. Iyon ang pinaka-importante sa amin,” said Monteverde, who lost MVP Malick Diouf and CJ Cansino to graduation.

Though still formidable, UP is parading a relatively young squad that is out to continue its winning tradition marked by three straight finals and a championship in Season 84.

The Maroons, who finished runner-up to Ateneo and La Salle in the last two seasons, hardly showed that vulnerability by declawing the Eagles. And the Warriors could be next.

UE fell prey to last season’s cellar-dweller but vastly-improved Santo Tomas squad, 70-55, to serve as a fiery confidence booster in landing an upset ax on UP.

Meanwhile, National University and Far Eastern University clash at 4:30 p.m. for a breakthrough win after contrasting defeats in their season debut.

The Bulldogs had the Archers on the ropes all-game long before surrendering a 78-75 loss as the Tamaraws, with new head coach and ex-PBA import Sean Chambers on board, absorbed a 59-47 defeat to Adamson.