UNIVERSITY of the Philippines seeks to move closer in completing a first-round sweep as it takes on La Salle today in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tip-off is at 6 p.m.

Winning all but one of five games in double-digit fashion, coach Goldwin Monteverde downplayed the Fighting Maroons’ perfect record, the Diliman-based squad’s finest start in the Final Four era.

“We’re still a work in progress habang tumatakbo yung season,” said Monteverde after UP overpowered University of Santo Tomas, 110-79, last Saturday.

“Malayo pa kami. We still need to work on our defense,” he added.

The Fighting Maroons are wary of a big Green Archers’ fightback.

Last Sunday’s 77-80 overtime loss to National University is tough to swallow La Salle, but coach Topex Robinsin has no choice but to move forward quickly as another major test awaits in UP.

“Even if we cry over that situation, it’s not gonna change,” said Robinson.

“What’s important is the game in front of us, which is gonna be UP. We’re gonna learn from these mistakes and we’re gonna move forward,” he added.

Sporting a 3-2 record, the Green Archers are currently tied with Adamson in third place.

In other games, the Bulldogs put their hold of second place on the line against University of the East at 12 noon, right after defending champion Ateneo plays the winless Growling Tigers at 10 a.m.

The Falcons take on a rejuvenated Far Eastern University side at 2 p.m.

The close games should be beneficial to Adamson, which is trying to pile up as many wins as it can while it awaits the return of senior guard Jerom Lastimosa.

“It helps a lot because number one, itong mga players namin they lack games. Number two, the experience in games will help them mature faster all the more sa close game,” said coach Nash Racela after the Falcons subdued the Red Warriors, 72-65, last Sunday.

“Maganda kasi I think it develops grit. We welcome mga games na ganito,” he added.

The Tamaraws will enter the game inspired after toppling the Blue Eagles, 66-61, in overtime last Saturday.

“Kailangan pa rin namin magtrabaho kasi lahat ng teams malalakas eh. Kailangan pa namin magtrabaho lalo na lahat ng mga teams nagwowork din, lalo na nakita kami manalo against defending champions,” said FEU guard Xyrus Torres.

“For sure, lahat ng teams pinaghahandaan kami,” he added.