University of the East (UE) expects little trouble when it seeks its fourth straight win and a more solid grip on the Group A lead in the Second Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Invitational Cup this Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan City, in Metro Manila.

The UE Warriors take on the University of the Philippines Maroons, who occupy the Group B cellar at 0-4, in the 6 p.m. main game.

Jose Rizal University (JRU) battles Mapua Institute of Technology at 2 p.m., to be followed by the Adamson-Perpetual Help clash at 4 p.m.

The UAAP runners-up Warriors are coming off a 99-95 overtime win over the Mapua Cardinals on Monday.

Elmer Espiritu sank eight of his 29 points in the extra period, including six straight that had the Warriors cruising to an 89-81 spread, 2:46 to play.

Allan Mangahas and Ian Chris Mazo spearheaded an 8-4 attack to allow Mapua to move within 87-93 in the final 1:31, but Espiritu came through anew to raise UE’s advantage to 95-87 in the last 1:09.

The Cardinals dropped to a fourth-best 3-3 card in Group B.

JRU last played on April 28, a game they lost to NCAA champion San Beda College, 63-76, as it remained at the bottom of the Group A heap at 1-3.

The Cardinals drew a game-high 34 points from Ian Chris Mazo while Allan Mangahas contributed 12 during their last match and they will have to top those numbers against the well-rested Heavy Bombers.

Adamson, meanwhile, tries to improve on its 2-1 slate versus Perpetual, which has yet to win in four starts. Romina S. Austria