MANILA, Philippines – The La Salle Green Archers and UP Fighting Maroons, the undisputed top two teams in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, finally clash in a blockbuster first-round finale at what is expected to be a sold-out Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, October 6.
Although still the defending champions, the Archers have shown chinks in their armor after a telling 71-75 setback against now-rising UE for a 5-1 record, while the mighty Maroons are still undefeated at 6-0, all their wins being settled in double digits.
Leading the way for UP are JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez, and Quentin Millora-Brown, but it may just as well be every single Maroon, as head coach Goldwin Monteverde’s rotation runs at 16-men deep, with the likes of Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, Mark Belmonte, and others also being credible threats.
Meanwhile, star forwards Mike Phillips and MVP Kevin Quiambao remain the proverbial heads of the green and white snake, with a more than capable supporting cast featuring JC Macalalag, Raven Gonzales, and the recovering CJ Austria, among others.
Two title-or-bust squads will finally feel each other out after busy and prolific offseasons that kept them on top of everyone’s watch list.
Can La Salle strike first and prove it’s still the top team to beat, or will the unrelenting UP’s rise be too much for the champions to handle at this point of the season?
Tip-off is around 6:30 pm, after the 3:30 pm clash between fringe contenders Adamson and UE. – Rappler.com