Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

2 p.m. — UE vs Ateneo

4:30 p.m. — UST vs UP

Defending champion University of the Philippines (UP) guns for a payback from a first-round humiliation it suffered from University of Santo Tomas (UST) in a much-anticipated rematch in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Aside from redeeming lost pride, the Fighting Maroons are also putting their hold of the solo second spot at stake in the 4:30 p.m. tussle.

Meanwhile, freefalling Ateneo de Manila University tries to arrest a five-game slide against a University of the East side hoping to barge into the win column after dropping its last nine games at 2 p.m.

UP has won back-to-back games to start the second round for a 6-3 win-loss record behind league-leading National University (8-2).

With the likes of Gani Stevens, Harold Alarcon, Rey Remogat and Francis Nnoruka finding their touch on offense, the Fighting Maroons have recovered from a stinging loss to De La Salle University to end the first round in a rematch of last year’s finals with victories over the Bulldogs, 78-74, and Far Eastern University, 89-75.

This time, the boys of UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde are out to avenge a 67-87 beating they received from the Tigers during the season-opener.

“They’re very competitive also as a team,” Monteverde said as he warned his players not to be too complacent despite UST’s three-game slide.

“For us, we will always focus on ourselves first and what needs to be improved on and definitely, we’ll treat UST the same way we treat other teams. What’s important for us right now would be to focus first on our team then slowly work towards UST,” Monteverde added.

The Tigers sport a 5-4 mark at fourth spot with just a win behind the Green Archers (6-4) in a tight top four race.

UST is reeling from a painful 96-97 loss to Adamson University last week.

“I don’t think we need to change anything. What’s more important is that we stay together, especially during tough times like this. We have to dig deep and really find out who we are and what our identity is as a team,” Tigers co-team captain Forthsky Padrigao said.

“Hopefully, we can show that in our next few games. We have to give more than 100 percent every game. It’s on us — watching film, learning from our mistakes, because that’s how we’ll improve. Our team is really growing and improving, even during this losing streak — so yeah, let’s see.”

On the other hand, the Blue Eagles haven’t won in a month since their 81-74 victory over La Salle in their 5 October rivalry game.

Ateneo is in sixth spot with a 4-5 card, losing five in a row after a sizzling start.

The Red Warriors will welcome back Wello Lingolingo after a three-game suspension, hoping to stop a bleeding of 15 consecutive matches lost dating back to the second round of last season. UE, however, will continue to miss the services of head coach Chris Gavina, who is serving his last of a four-game ban.

The Blue Eagles barely escaped UE in their first meeting, 62-60, on 24 September.