Maroons, Bulldogs duel for lead

MANILA, Philippines — Unbeaten University of the Philippines and National U lock horns in a duel for the solo lead in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

Game time is at 1 p.m. between the two title contenders with the winner gaining an early leeway in the first round after drubbing their first two assignments.

The Saturday quadruple bill also features Adamson (1-1) against Ateneo (1-1) at 11 a.m., La Salle (1-1) versus Santo Tomas (0-2) at 3 p.m., and Far Eastern U (0-2) opposite University of the East (1-1) at 5 p.m.

But much of the attention is on the Fighting Maroons and the Bulldogs, who split their season series last season to finish second and third place, respectively, behind eventual titlist Ateneo.

UP, the Season 84 champion and Season 85 runner-up, found no trouble taking care of their first two games – a 68-51 trouncing of Adamson and a 84-69 trashing of UE.

NU, on the other hand, ignited its spree with a massive 77-64 stunner of reigning champion Ateneo.