Maroons fancied over Red Warriors; Bulldogs eye first win

UP’s Francis Lopez throws down a dunk in the fourth quarter against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

University of the Philippines was hardly pressed in its UAAP Season 87 debut, and the Maroons are expected to steamroll through a second straight assignment on Saturday and make it a three-way tie at the top in the young elimination round.

Facing a University of the East squad that lacks height, depth and experience, the Maroons are the solid favorites in their 6:30 p.m. clash at Smart Araneta Coliseum even as National University and Far Eastern battle in the 4 p.m. contest.

The Maroons, who ended a 36-year championship drought in the 2022 bubble tournament and were the runners-up in the last two seasons, demolished Ateneo, 77-61, last weekend as the graduating JD Cagulangan and Francis Lopez were stellar.

The Red Warriors, meanwhile, were mangled by the vastly improved Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 70-55, on Sunday.

UP also showcased one-and-done center Quentin Millora-Brown, the talent from The Citadel who grabbed 17 rebounds against the Blue Eagles.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs, despite losing their season opener to La Salle, are the odds-on picks over the Tamaraws, whom new coach Sean Chambers is trying to whip into contenders this year.

Ready for another run

National pushed defending champion La Salle to the limit before the Green Archers pulled out a 78-75 win, as the Bulldogs again showed that they are ready to alter the championship picture this season.

Far Eastern actually had a good start against Adamson, only to lose steam in the second half before losing, 59-47.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to shock some teams this year,” Chambers said.

Action on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena will feature the rivalry game between La Salle and Ateneo at 6:30 p.m. and Santo Tomas gunning for a third straight win against Adamson at 3:30 p.m.

The Green Archers and the Growling Tigers share the early lead at 2-0.

In the women’s division also on Saturday, former champion National shoots for a second straight win against Far Eastern at 11:30 a.m., while UP seeks to rebound from its season-opening setback to Ateneo as it tangles with UE at 1:30 p.m.