Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

1:30 p.m. — UE vs FEU

4:30 p.m. — UP vs La Salle

Streaking defending champion University of the Philippines (UP) meets a handicapped De La Salle University in a much-awaited explosive encounter to end the first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tipoff time of the featured match between the protagonists of the last two seasons’ finals is set at 4:30 p.m.

The Fighting Maroons are on a four-game tear after a rough 0-2 start and are looking to reassert their mastery over the same rivals they beat in a dramatic three-game series in the Season 87 championship.

Bannered by a crack roster led by veterans Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, Gerry Abadiano, Jacob Bayla and Terrence Fortea backed by big man Francis Nnoruka and transferees Gani Stevens and Rey Remogat, UP will come into the game with a huge advantage in depth and manpower, especially with the Green Archers losing a couple of key players.

The Fighting Maroons turned back Far Eastern University, 69-66, before going on a weeklong break and preparation.

“We cannot be too high and too low in approaching that game. The preparation’s always the same regardless of who we play. But you cannot discount the fact: It’s going up against a rival team, we played them in the finals,” UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said.

“I think what’s important for the players is to prepare their bodies and minds. And be focused, more importantly, mentally.”

While the Fighting Maroons have regained their confidence and fine form, La Salle’s journey has been bumpy.

The Green Archers are outside of the Top Four, blowing hot and cold for an even 3-3 win-loss record.

But the biggest blow to La Salle’s campaign has been the vicious bite of the injury bug.

It lost Mason Amos last week in a loss against National University before Kean Baclaan followed suit three days later in a tight 111-110 overtime escape over University of the East. Both first-year transferees have been ruled out for the season after sustaining medial collateral ligament tears in their knees.

Much of La Salle’s payback hopes will be on the shoulders of veteran big man Mike Phillips and first-year transferee guard Jacob Cortez, who willed his team back from 21 points down in the previous contest.       

“We know it’s gonna be a good game. We’re gonna stick together,” Phillips said.

Cortez is looking forward to the rivalry game and hopefully, emerge on top this time after a sorry 74-81 loss to the Green Archers’ archrival Ateneo de Manila University two weeks ago.

“Excited, of course, before I was just watching these La Salle-UP, La Salle-Ateneo games but now I finally get a chance to play against them. I’m just looking forward to it, but then again, stay focused on what we need to do to win,” the son of former La Salle great Mike Cortez said.