UAAP Preview: UP face DLSU in grudge match to end first round of Season 87

The much-awaited clash between the UP Fighting Maroons and the DLSU Green Archers in UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball takes place on October 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

UP remains undefeated with a 6-0 record, while defending champions DLSU are right behind with a 5-1 slate, making this game a potential turning point in the season.

UP is coming off a 69-57 win against Adamson, where they erased a 22-point deficit to maintain their unbeaten run.

However, slow starts have been a recurring issue for the Fighting Maroons, with Harold Alarcon admitting that the team has been struggling to play with instinct.

[READ: UAAP: ‘Lack of instinct’ attributed to slow start of UP, says Alarcon]

"Na-mention ni Coach Gold [Monteverde] parang ‘yung start ng quarter parang hindi kami naglalaro ng with instinct eh,” Alarcon shared. “Every possession tumitingin kami sa bench kung anong gagawin, hindi kami ganon [maglaro] eh.”

DLSU, meanwhile, is fresh from a commanding 88-67 victory against UST and is eager to face UP.

Coach Topex Robinson is more than welcome to let DLSU play a formidable team, stating that a match with UP is quite favorable for the Green Archers.

“We are excited. You know, UP is gonna be somebody that we're gonna learn from," Coach Robinson said. "We never really called them our enemy but we always call them as worthy rivals because their strength is our weakness and we just wanna enjoy playing against that mighty team, you know, that really gets us excited.”

The Green Archers' sole loss this season came against UE in a tight 75-71 game, but as defending champions, they’ve shown why they’re still a top contender.

UP, having lost to DLSU in last season’s Finals, will be eager to exact revenge and prove themselves against their long-time rivals.

With both teams eyeing a strong finish to the first round, fans can expect an exciting and hard-fought battle on the court.