University of Batangas seeks a follow-up of its opening-game win while Diliman College starts its title-retention bid in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League Monday at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.
The UB Brahmans clash with the Technological Institute of the Philippine Engineers at 2 p.m. while the Diliman Blue Dragons take on the Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas Dolphins at 4 p.m.
National College of Business and Arts debuts against Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas in the 12 noon curtain raiser with hopes of winning in style.
UB, which finished with a 2-12 mark two years back, is expected to bank on its offense headed by JJ Caspe and Don Tabol in their bid for a second straight win following their 92-80 triumph over PCU-Dasma last Thursday.
In that match, Caspe and Jabol exploded behind the arc by combining for eight of the team’s 10 triples to finish with 27 and 21 points.
Raoul Yemeli and Melvin Ricaña are also set to anchor the Brahmans on both ends after posting double-double performances, merging for 31 points and 24 rebounds.
Diliman, meanwhile, will have 6-foot-11 Senegalese Abdoulaye Niang and 6-foot-2 Kevine Gandjeto from Benin to lead the crew after losing several key players.
The Blue Dragons also hope to join rival Centro Escolar University into the winning column after the Scorpions opened their own title campaign with an 89-69 drubbing of Olivarez College Sea Lions. (Kristel Satumbaga)