UE's Precious Momowei and UP's Quentin Millora-Brown will look to lead their respective teams to victory in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament. UAAP MediaMANILA -- University of the Philippines is looking to force a three-way tie for the No. 1 spot in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament when it takes on the University of the East, Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Fighting Maroons opened their campaign by beating the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Battle of Katipunan, and are now seeking to build on that win against the Red Warriors.

Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m.

In the first game of the men's double-header, it will be National University vs. Far Eastern University at 4:30 p.m., with the winner notching its first win of the tournament.

UP, which ended a 36-year championship drought in the 2022 bubble tournament and runners-up in the last two seasons, flaunted its might on opening night in a 77-61 tripping of a young Ateneo crew.

JD Cagulangan and Francis Lopez were stellar, and the Fighting Maroons unveiled Quentin Millora-Brown, the one-and-done center from The Citadel who grabbed 17 rebounds to dominate the Blue Eagles frontline.

UP knows it has a long way to go, as it tries to polish its game as the season progresses.

Cagulangan, the Season 84 hero, is determined to give back to coach Goldwin Monteverde by giving the Fighting Maroons another championship in his final year.

READ: JD Cagulangan flirts with triple-double as UP posts statement win over Ateneo

"Siguro, gusto ko na legacy na maaalala ng tao is yung tipong yung nakikita ninyo yung isang JD na sasabihin na winner. And siguro naman, alam natin na since dumating si coach Gold sa UP, ini-insist niya sa amin na mindset na maging winner talaga," Cagulangan said.

"Para sa kanya, yung winner hindi lang sa court, kahit na sa buhay. Laging sinasabi ni coach na yung pagiging champion, lifestyle iyan eh. Nagli-live kami sa sinasabi ni coach, which is thankful kami na nakilala namin siya," he added.

UE, meanwhile, opened the season with a 55-70 loss to University of Santo Tomas.

The Red Warriors sorely missed Noy Remogat, last season's Mythical Team member who moved to the Fighting Maroons earlier this year, as Nigerian Precious Momowei and Ethan Galang were only the bright spots in the loss to the Growling Tigers.

READ: UST Tigers signal new start with dominant win over UE Red Warriors

Despite losing their season opener, the Bulldogs still have the potential to remain on the podium.

NU gave defending champion De La Salle fits before dropping a 75-78 decision last Sunday, losing to a game-winning triple by reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao.

The Bulldogs are facing the young Tamaraws, who are adopting the new system implemented by new coach, PBA great Sean Chambers.

FEU actually had a good start against Adamson University, only to lose steam in the second half, suffering a 47-59 defeat also last Sunday.

Chambers, who played under the famed triangle offense system under decorated coach Tim Cone in the pros, remains upbeat about what the Tamaraws can do as the tournament progresses.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to shock some teams this year," Chambers said.

Action on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena will feature the rivalry game between De La Salle and Ateneo at 6:30 p.m. and UST gunning for a third straight win against Adamson at 3:30 p.m.

The Green Archers and the Growling Tigers share the early lead at 2-0.

In the women's division, former champion NU shoots for a second straight win against FEU at 11:30 a.m., while UP seeks to rebound from its season-opening setback to Ateneo as it tangles with UE at 1:30 p.m.

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