Back-to-back or redemption?  

MANILA, Philippines — The Battle of Katipunan reaches yet another apex.

For the second straight season, archrivals University of the Philippines and Ateneo collide head-on in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the finals with the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball title at stake at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The battle lines are drawn in the fitting finals rematch, with both squads raring to go one last time after splitting the first two tussles in this best-of-three series.

Fireworks erupt at 6 p.m.

Reigning champion UP, only seven months after ending a 36-year title drought on JD Cagulangan’s game-winner in the Season 84 finals against the same team, goes for a rare twin-title in 2022 while Ateneo tries to reclaim the throne as the former three-time titlist.

From a theme of destiny against dynasty last season, domination versus redemption is the battlefield’s mantra this time with only one standing tall and proud to turn it into fruition after an expected all-or-nothing salvo.

Momentum is on the Blue Eagles’ nest after taking flight in Game 2, 65-55, to force a rubber match – which coach Tab Baldwin anticipates to be a harder nut to crack.

“It’s gonna get even tougher. We hope and pray that everybody can bring their best in Game 3. Basketball is winning. It’s a great thing for a sport we all love. I guess I’ll leave it there,” he said as Ateneo seeks to cap a redemption tour after missing out on a four-peat last season.

But the beleaguered UP – undermanned and all with the unfortunate ACL tear injury of versatile forward Zavier Lucero – vowed an unwavering resistance to frustrate Ateneo anew and retain their hard-earned Cup.

The Fighting Maroons took Game 1, 72-66, and was poised to become the first team in UAAP history to win two titles in just a year prior to a shellacking loss in Game 2, where they even absorbed a double whammy with Lucero’s gruesome injury in the fourth quarter.

Now more than ever, UP is out to fight.

“Ang importante, hindi kami susuko nang ganoon na lang. Importante na bumangon kami Mayroon kaming chance to play better and overcome ang pinagdadaanan namin. Kahit anong harapin namin today, haharapin namin,” promised coach Goldwin Monteverde.