Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

3 p.m. — Ateneo vs UE

5:30 p.m. — La Salle vs UST

Reigning champion De La Salle University shoots for a second straight win and the solo lead while giving two of its veterans a good send-off before their tour of duty in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The Green Archers march back into the battlefield to meet a wounded University of Santo Tomas in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Fresh off an opening day win, La Salle seeks another victory at 5:30 p.m. before the Green Archers take a long break from hostilities to give way for Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo’s participation in the Asiad 3x3 basketball event.

“We want to make sure that we do well before this long break where Luis and Doy will represent the country. So, we want to make sure that we send them off well coming from a good game,” Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson said.

La Salle had a tough time in its title-retention bid opener but had enough fuel in the tank to outlast a hard-biting National University, 89-87, in a rematch of last year’s Final Four on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie guard Joaquin Tovera made a rousing introduction after dropping a game-high 22 points while Pablo and Dungo added 16 and 12 markers, respectively.

Although the Green Archers carry momentum, Robinson is wary of the Growling Tigers, especially after coming off a painful 85-92 loss to Season 88 runner-up University of the Philippines last Sunday.

The two-time champion mentor is specifically keeping a close eye on Season 88 Rookie of the Year Collins Akowe — the 6-foot-10 Nigerian center who tallied 13 points and 18 rebounds in the opener.

“They (Tigers) are also ranked, I think, among the top (contenders) coming into the season. Healthy Akowe is gonna be a big problem. They have those one-and-done who will give them experience. But, I mean, we’re just up for the challenge,” Robinson said.