The race for the title in UAAP Season 87 is in full swing as we are about to enter the second half of the elimination round this weekend.
But before the high-stakes, heart-stopping action of the Final Four, each team still has seven more elimination matches to determine who gets to play in the postseason with all eight teams still having their name in the hat.
After a very eventful first round, we’ve listed seven of the must-watch games in the second round so you know when and where to tune in for the best of collegiate men’s hoops.
La Salle vs UE - October 12, Araneta Coliseum
The DLSU Green Archers ended the first round with only one loss — that came against the UE Red Warriors.
As the defending champions open their second round against UE and on a three-game winning streak, they are surely looking to get back at their first-round tormentors.
But the Red Warriors, who are currently the hottest team in the league with the help of Ethan Galang and Wello Lingolingo, have won five games in a row since starting the season 0-2.
Determined to show that their current run is no fluke, UE will be eager to repeat against Kevin Quiambao and the Green Archers.
La Salle locks horns with UE in the main game of the opening day of the second round on Saturday, October 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST vs Ateneo - October 19, UST Quadricentennial Pavilion
In the UAAP, seldom do teams get home court advantage.
But for the UST Growling Tigers, that’s exactly what they’ll get come Saturday, October 19, when they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles at their home turf in the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
A match-up that will pit UST point guard Forthsky Padrigao against his former team, the resurgent Growling Tigers and the win-hungry Ateneo Blue Eagles will surely create sparks enough to drive a UST-home crowd wild.
UST and Ateneo meet at high noon at the UST QPav on October 19.
Ateneo vs La Salle - October 26, Mall of Asia Arena
Say what you want about the current disparity between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the DLSU Green Archers, but Ateneo-La Salle will always be a staple blockbuster in collegiate hoops.
As deep as the rivalry runs in their veins, both teams will surely go all out in the latest chapter of their storied rivalry.
From the players to their supporters, Ateneo-La Salle is definitely one of the most anticipated games in any UAAP season.
The rivalry game commences in the main game of Saturday, October 26, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
UST vs FEU - October 27, Mall of Asia Arena
Speaking of long-time rivalries in the UAAP, among the more classic matchups included UST’s long-standing competition with neighbors FEU.
Adding more color to the proximity factor of the schools’ feud are their head coaches who have been known to be fierce competitors during their days in the PBA as players — Pido Jarencio and Sean Chambers.
Now trading their jerseys to clipboards on the sidelines, Jarencio and Chambers have renewed their love-hate relationship with UST and FEU.
Both boisterous characters as well, any matchup involving these two on the bench will surely be an entertaining showcase.
The Growling Tigers lock horns with the Tamaraws on Sunday, October 27, at the Mall of Asia Arena as the final game for the weekend in Pasay City.
Ateneo vs UP - October 30, Mall of Asia Arena
Gone are the days that the Battle of Katipunan was only a rivalry in name.
Since their frequent meetings in the UAAP finals stretching as far back as UAAP Season 81, the Fighting Maroons and the Blue Eagles have become heavily acquainted with each other in grudge matches.
Having asserted their dominance over the Blue Eagles in their season opener this year, UP will hope to repeat when they face their Katipunan neighbors anew.
But led by an ever-improving set of players including Josh Lazaro, Chris Koon, and Jared Bahay, Tab Baldwin’s Blue Eagles will have something to say when the time comes.
The Battle of Katipunan closes the action on Wednesday, October 30, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
FEU vs Ateneo - November 9, Araneta Coliseum
You don’t get to be the first and only overtime game in a UAAP season without heart-stopping action — and that was what the first round encounter between the FEU Tamaraws and the Ateneo Blue Eagles gave us last month.
Jorick Bautista’s fourth quarter and overtime takeover remains one of the most memorable individual performances in Season 87 to date.
As both teams remain win-hungry at the bottom half of the standings, their battle will surely be a determined one as they try to break into the semis race in the latter half of the season.
FEU will target a repeat performance against Ateneo when they meet on Saturday, November 9, 4 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
La Salle vs UP - November 10, Araneta Coliseum
Emotions were running high in the finals rematch between the DLSU Green Archers and the UP Fighting Maroons after the alleged spitting incident.
With a lot of history going down in recent years between the two schools, Round 2 will only bring even more fireworks when the Top 2 teams meet once again in the latter part of the season.
Kevin Quiambao and the rest of the Green Archers will eye a fourth straight UAAP win over JD Cagulangan and the Fighting Maroons when they face off for one final time before the semifinals.
La Salle-UP draws the curtain on weekend action on Sunday, November 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.