Games Today
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. – AdU vs UE (JHS)
9:45 a.m. – DLSZ vs UPIS (JHS)
11:30 a.m. – AdU vs UE (Women)
1:30 p.m. – DLSU vs UP (Women)
3:30 p.m. – AdU vs UE (Men)
6:30 p.m. – DLSU vs UP (Men)
University of the Philippines goes for a seven-game sweep of the first round as it takes on defending champion La Salle in a rematch of last year’s UAAP Collegiate Men’s Basketball Finals Sunday, Oct. 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Game time is at 6:30 p.m. in a game likely to be tight, rugged and dramatic knowing how vital the game is for both squads.
Adding color to the most awaited match of the round is the frontcourt showdown between reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips of La Salle’s against UP’s Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez.
The Maroons have beaten the Archers twice in the FilOil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup several months ago, including an incredible 20-point comeback in the championship game.
But that was not enough to satisfy the Maroons who looked set to win their third championship last season after winning Game 1 runaway fashion.
But starring Quiambao, Phillips and now pro Evan Nelle, the Archers recovered mightily, winning the next two games to claim their 10th league crown that left UP community in tears.
That defeat left the Maroons with a huge scar and the only way to remove it is to deal the Archers a sound beating apart from winning the championship.
While the Maroons are looking great, winning their first six games in double figures, the Archers have stumbled against the University of the East in a narrow defeat but quickly rebounded with two consecutive wins.
La Salle coach Topex Robinson expressed his eagerness for the highly anticipated match, acknowledging the valuable lessons his team can learn from facing their fierce rivals.
“We are excited. UP is gonna be somebody that we’re gonna learn from. We never really call them our enemy but we always call them as our worthy rivals because their strength is our weakness,” Robinson shared.
“Kami rin excited kaming makalaban ang UP because ang sarap ng feeling ‘eh. I guess yung sinasabi nga ni Mike na there’s no guarantee if when we’re gonna face them again, we just wanna enjoy it and we just wanna compete against the best team in college,” he continued.
Statistically, La Salle leads the league in key areas through six games, including rebounds (51.33), assists (21.83), steals (8.67), and second-chance points (14.17).
Quiambao has been a force for the Green Archers, averaging 15.83 points, 8.67 rebounds, 5.83 assists, and 1.33 steals per game.
On the other side, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde emphasized the importance of staying focused amid the emotions of one of Philippine collegiate basketball’s biggest rivalries.
He stressed that their preparation for La Salle would be the same as any other game.
“We’ll prepare for them just as we do for every opponent. Emotions are always part of the game, but our focus remains on executing the details and playing instinctively for the full 40 minutes,” Monteverde revealed.
