Kean Baclaan will be facing familiar faces when his De La Salle University collides with National University (NU) in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup today at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

The heady playmaker has shown a lot of promise with his superb playmaking and scoring abilities for the Green Archers, who have won their first two games in this tourney that serves as a warmup for Season 88 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

Baclaan, who have posted 16.0 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in the early stretch, reinforces a powerhouse La Salle side that had gotten a big boost from other transferees like Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos and Luis Pablo, who all shone in their 106-99 win over University of the Philippines last 31 May.

But he has to control his emotions in their 4 p.m. encounter as he faces his former peers at NU like Steve Nash Enriquez, Jake Figueroa and Jolo Manansala.

The Bulldogs will not be easy foes as they are also riding high after a 72-67 victory over University of the East — their first win in three games.

Meanwhile, Arellano University will be gunning for its third straight win at 2 p.m. against Lyceum of the Philippines University (1-4), while Jose Rizal University (2-5) will shoot for back-to-back wins versus San Beda University (1-2) at 12 p.m.

The Chiefs have suddenly gone on a tear in the National Collegiate Athletic Association bracket, relying on the leadership of T-Mc Ongotan, which enabled them to claim the 73-70 win over the Red Lions two days prior.

Rookies have also balled out for Heavy Bombers coach Nani Epondulan with Sanlea Peñaverde and Harry Herrera stepping up as seen in their 71-64 win over Lyceum.