Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

2 p.m. — NU vs La Salle

4:30 p.m. — FEU vs Adamson

League-leading National University (NU) sees De La Salle University as a different team from the one it defeated in the first round.

Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa braces his team for a tougher encounter against a much sharper and streaking Green Archers in a crucial battle of top teams in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.  

NU bested La Salle, 82-78, in their first encounter. The Green Archers would then win four straight after that defeat, where they saw Mason Amos go down with a season-ending injury.

“We really need to refresh our minds because we know La Salle’s on a winning streak. They’ve improved a lot since the first round going into the second. We just have to be fully ready against them,” Napa said ahead of the Bulldogs’ 2 p.m. tussle.

NU is currently in the solo top spot with a 7-2 win-loss record but is within striking distance of La Salle and reigning champion University of the Philippines, which share second with identical 6-3 cards.

The Bulldogs, however, will be playing sans Gelo Santiago, who will be serving the start of his five-game suspension following a disqualifying foul he committed in their 66-50 victory over Ateneo de Manila University last week.

Santiago hit Waki Espina on the back of the head after a rebound play, resulting in his ejection. Coincidentally, Santiago caused Amos’ injury after he inadvertently landed on the La Salle transferee’s knee while fighting a screen.

Jake Figueroa, Omar John, Reinhard Jumamoy and Steve Nash Enriquez will try to power NU to a second straight win against a Green Archers side bannered by Jacob Cortez, Mike Phillips, Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo.

La Salle beat University of the East (UE), 84-72, last Wednesday to prime up for the rematch.

“Well, again, they’re number one for a reason. They have a good combination of veterans. Omar John is really playing well. Again, so much respect for the staff. They’re really doing a good job preparing this team to really go further this season,” Green Archers coach Topex Robinson said.

“So, again, at the end of the day, we’re just going to try to be the best version of ourselves. We try to get better each and every time.”

Meanwhile, Adamson University seeks a fifth win in a row and boost its Final Four hopes in a clash with Far Eastern University (FEU) at 4:30 p.m.

The Falcons are on a roll after their last loss to NU in the first round, as they beat UE and University of Santo Tomas to end the opening phase of the eliminations before repeating over the same squad to start the second round.

Adamson escaped the Tigers, 97-96, in overtime last Wednesday to tie its victim at fourth to fifth with a 5-4 slate.

The Tamaraws, on the other hand, hold a 3-6 record in seventh place and are coming off a 75-89 loss to the Fighting Maroons.

FEU defeated Adamson in the first round, 64-58.