University of the Philippines is on the verge of completing a first-round sweep as they prepare to face their fiercest rivals, defending champion De La Salle University, in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s UAAP Collegiate Men’s Basketball Finals.
The action unfolds on Sunday at 6:30 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Last season, La Salle etched its name in the UAAP history books after an exhilarating Game 3 of the Finals.
The team overcame a blowout loss in Game 1 to storm back and clinch their 10th championship.
Led by reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao and the ever-reliable Evan Nelle, the Green Archers showcased their resilience, winning the last two games of the series to stun the Fighting Maroons.
Now, Nelle is gone. Ditto for Mark Nonoy.
And the rivalry has only intensified in the offseason.
UP got the upper hand in the FilOil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup, defeating La Salle twice – including a spectacular 20-point comeback in the finals to claim the title.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
During that tournament, UP’s key addition, Quentin Millora-Brown, was yet to don the maroon and green.
His upcoming battle with La Salle’s Mike Phillips is one of the most intriguing storylines to follow as the first round of the UAAP season winds down.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Both teams currently dominate the standings, with UP boasting a flawless 6-0 record, while La Salle sits close behind at 5-1.
The Fighting Maroons have been on a mission for redemption, winning each of their six games by double digits. So far, they’ve showcased a laser-focused approach to reclaiming the title they narrowly missed last season.
La Salle, meanwhile, stumbled early with a surprising defeat to University of the East but quickly bounced back with back-to-back victories, keeping them in contention for the top spot.
Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson is looking forward to the challenge of facing UP, seeing it as a crucial learning opportunity for his squad.
“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 said.
“Kami rin, excited kaming makalaban ang UP because ang sarap ng feeling ‘eh. I guess yung sinasabi nga ni Mike [Phillips] 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.”
Statistically, La Salle has been one of the most dominant teams in the league through six games.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Green Archers lead the UAAP in several key categories, including rebounds (51.33 per game), assists (21.83), steals (8.67), and second-chance points (14.17).
Quiambao has been the standout for the Green Archers, putting up 15.83 points, 8.67 rebounds, 5.83 assists, and 1.33 steals per game, driving their offensive and defensive efforts.
On the other end, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde is determined to keep his squad’s focus amid the intensity of one of the most heated rivalries in Philippine collegiate basketball.
Despite the emotions that come with facing La Salle, Monteverde emphasized that their preparation remains consistent.
“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 shared.
The Fighting Maroons have been equally impressive across multiple statistical categories.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UP currently leads the league in points per game (77.67), three-point shooting percentage (32.5%), points in the paint (36.0), fastbreak points (12.33), turnover points (17.33), and bench points (44.83) – all showcasing their depth and versatility.
Floor general JD Cagulangan has been at the forefront of UP’s attack, averaging 13.4 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game.
His steady hand and leadership have been key to UP’s dominance so far.
Monteverde, however, knows that consistency is vital as they prepare to face La Salle.
“Consistency across all four quarters is important. We’ve had games with strong starts but weak finishes, and vice versa.
“To improve, we need to value each possession and maintain our intensity throughout the game,” Monteverde concluded.
