Games Wednesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

3 pm – NU vs FEU

6 pm – La Salle vs UST
 

Defending champion De La Salle University tries to make it five in a row when it battles University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Coming from a vengeful 77-68 win over University of the East last weekend, the Green Archers (7-1) hope to reaffirm their mastery of the Growling Tigers (4-4), who are likewise aiming to maintain their spot in the Final Four in their 6 p.m. showdown.

At 3 p.m., the NU Bulldogs (2-6) and the FEU Tamaraws (2-6) clash as they look to break the three-way tie and rise from the bottom of the standings.

Surrounded by controversy from an alleged spitting incident to a UP player, La Salle head coach Topex Robinson and his wards want nothing but a strong second round performance and make it back to the finals.

“It's like what I always tell these players. That's what you get for being the defending champions. Every team will always come out with guns blazing every time they play you,” said Robinson.

“Gone are the days that you're just going to blow by teams because there's so much respect for you now. That's just going to make us better,” he added. “These games will make us better. We'll learn from it. We'll grow from it.”

Mike Phillips dropped 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks in La Salle’s win over the Precious Momowei-led UE.

The 6-foot-8 high-flying forward is expected to lead the Taft-based squad anew along with reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao, JC Macalalag and Vhoris Marasigan.

While UST will likely lean once again on versatile guard Forthsky Padrigao, Mo Tounkara, Cristian Manaytay and Nic Cabanero will surely provide support.