Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

1:30 p.m. — UE vs NU

4:30 p.m. — UST vs Ateneo

University of the East (UE) stands in the way of league-leading National University’s (NU) first of two tries to clinch a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

Although fancied to win over their listless foes, the Bulldogs are not taking the Red Warriors lightly in their second-round meeting today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We need to be ready. We can’t just take UE for granted,” NU head coach Jeff Napa said, going into the Bulldogs’ penultimate elimination round assignment slated at 1:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs are at the solo top spot, enjoying their best run in the Final Four era with a 10-2 win-loss record.

NU has the advantage of momentum after racking up four straight victories, its last coming from a 70-64 triumph over Far Eastern University last Wednesday to secure at least a playoff for the semifinals incentive.

“Hopefully, we’ll be consistent. There’s no need to celebrate because we haven’t proven anything yet,” Napa added.

With Jake Figueroa contributing consistent numbers alongside Steve Nas Enriquez, Omar John, Paul Francisco, Jolo Manansala and PJ Palacielo for the Bulldogs, an embattled UE side faces another uphill climb to end a 12-game losing skid.

The Red Warriors are in danger of falling into a winless season with just two games left in their campaign.

UE was battered by University of Santo Tomas (UST), 97-109, last Wednesday but saw a silver lining in rookie Dylan Despi, who scored 17 points on 6-of-9 field goal shooting.

Despi backed by Wello Lingolingo and Precious Momowei will try to turn the Red Warriors into spoilers for their first win of the season.

Meanwhile, the Tigers, after ending a four-game skid, hunt to start a winning run to bolster their semifinals bid against Ateneo de Manila University at 4:30 p.m.

UST is hanging by a thread at the No. 4 spot with a 6-5 slate, just a win ahead of the fifth-running Blue Eagles (5-5).

Nic Cabanero, Collins Akowe, Forthsky Padrigao and Gelo Crisostomo banner the Tigers’ charge to complete an elims head-to-head sweep of Ateneo.

UST beat its rival in its home court at the Blue Eagle gym in an exhausting, 98-89, triple overtime classic last 11 October.

“Our mindset is one game at a time. Our fate is in our hands, we just have to win all those games, and we just have to take everything one game at a time. We don’t want to look ahead, focus on Ateneo first,” said Tigers deputy Japs Cuan.