The UP Fighting Maroons face their first real test of the year, while winless teams hope to get going in the second week of UAAP Season 87.
The UP Fighting Maroons are heading to their biggest challenge of UAAP Season 87 so far, as they face last year’s third placers NU Bulldogs in the main game on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Maroons, who are undefeated in their first two games, will be tested against an NU side that almost stunned defending champion La Salle in the opening game of the season.
As key holdovers JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon, and Gerry Abadiano try to rally their newcomers against Jeff Napa’s veterans in NU, both teams’ competitiveness will be sure to come out with plenty of punch and bite.
[ALSO READ: UP rookie Jacob Bayla draws praise from veterans Cagulangan, Alarcon early in UAAP Season 87]
Meanwhile, winless teams will have the chance to barge into the win column with their games this week.
Let’s take a look at the schedule for Week 2 of UAAP Season 87.
September 18, 2024 (Wednesday)
FEU vs. UE (4:30 p.m.)
A first win is in order for these two teams as the FEU Tamaraws and the UE Red Warriors collide in the opening game of the week for men’s basketball.
After close calls against the Adamson Soaring Falcons and the NU Bulldogs, the Tamaraws will be strapped to give new head coach Sean Chambers his first win in the UAAP. Meanwhile, the Red Warriors will do everything in their power to deny the Tamaraws.
FEU (0-2) and UE (0-2) are in a race for their first win at 4:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[ALSO READ: Ice Trae in the UAAP? Why FEU uses placards for play calls under new coach Sean Chambers]
UP vs NU (6:30 p.m.)
After back-to-back wins against Ateneo and UE, the Fighting Maroons (2-0) are heading for their toughest opponent of the year so far with the NU Bulldogs (1-1) up ahead in the main game at 6:30 p.m. in the Big Dome.
Though their opening game against the Blue Eagles was a rematch of last year’s Final Four, Ateneo is in a rebuilding phase and struggled against the Fighting Maroons.
But going up against NU, UP will have its work cut out as Jeff Napa and his wards will attempt to blemish the Fighting Maroons’ record with an intact roster led by the likes of Steve Nash Enriquez and PJ Palacielo.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Bulldogs face setback as NU big man Mo Diassana suffers season-ending injury]
September 21, 2024 (Saturday)
UST vs NU (4:30 p.m.)
The UST Growling Tigers (2-1) will be looking to rebound after being grounded by the Adamson Soaring Falcons last week, as they face the NU Bulldogs--who will be coming off of their game against the Fighting Maroons on Wednesday.
A revamped squad bannered by key holdovers Nic Cabañero and Gelo Crisostomo, as well as transferee guard Forthsky Padrigao, will attempt to show that they truly belong in the Final Four and title conversations with how they perform against the Bulldogs.
UST-NU will raise the curtain on weekend action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 4:30 p.m.
Ateneo vs Adamson (6:30 p.m.)
Finding themselves in a compromising position early in the season, the Ateneo Blue Eagles (0-3) will once again attempt to take flight when they face a surprising Adamson Soaring Falcons (2-1) squad on Saturday.
Even after absorbing a pounding against defending champions La Salle, Adamson has since rebounded with a come-from-behind win over UST and will try to continue in their winning ways against the young Blue Eagles squad.
But the Blue Eagles will hope to bring a bigger fight with a fit-again Chris Koon against Monty Montebon and the Soaring Falcons.
Ateneo vs. Adamson is penciled in for tip off at 6:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
September 22, 2024 (Sunday)
UP vs FEU (4:30 p.m.)
The UP Fighting Maroons will finish their assignments in Week 2 with a game against the FEU Tamaraws, who will be looking to challenge last year’s runners-up.
After making the NU Bulldogs sweat last weekend, the Tamaraws will look to be successful in their upset-bid against the season hosts.
UP-FEU will be the penultimate match of the week set at 4:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
La Salle vs UE (6:30 p.m.)
Defending champions DLSU (3-0) will seek another victory in their only game of the week as they face the UE Red Warriors.
After his Player of the Week citation, Kevin Quiambao hopes to continue leading his Green Archers to glory in a David vs Goliath-esque matchup against the upset-seeking Red Warriors. La Salle will be coming into the game with a week’s rest.
The Green Archers lock horns with the Red Warriors in the curtain closer at 6:30 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena.