Action between La Salle and UP in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Finals, December 8, 2024 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. UAAP Media

MANILA -- Defending champion De La Salle University hopes to regain the form that made them the top-seeded squad in the elimination round when they play the University of the Philippines in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Finals on Wednesday.

The Green Archers could not hold on to a first half lead in Game 1 last Sunday, absorbing a 73-65 defeat against the Fighting Maroons.

It was La Salle's first loss to UP this season, and it was a result that put them on the brink of being dethroned as UAAP men's basketball champions.

READ: UP weathers early Quiambao onslaught, stuns La Salle for 1-0 lead

Coach Topex Robinson was calm in the aftermath, however, and expressed his optimism that the Green Archers can recover in time for the second game.

"At this point, it's just a matter of us gaining a [lesson] from this experience. The only thing that I told the team, there's a reason why this is a series you don't win a championship by winning one game, you need two games," said Robinson.

"So we still have a chance. We've been in this situation before, we just have to keep on being positive and try to learn from this experience. Again that's a tough team we played, we just have to slug it out in the end," he added.

Game time is at 5:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Green Archers have reason to be hopeful -- the Fighting Maroons are 0-4 all-time in Game 2s in the Final 4 era. Two of those losses have come in the past two seasons, as UP lost to Ateneo in Game 2 of the Season 85 Finals, and to La Salle in last season's second Finals game.

READ: How will La Salle respond after falling behind 0-1 to UP once again?

In both instances, the Fighting Maroons also went on to lose the deciding Game 3. 

UP coach Goldwin Monteverde is not putting too much stock on those previous results, however, instead focusing on the task at hand.

"We never naman dwell on the past, no? So right now, as I said, part of the process of winning a championship is you know, winning Game 1. So we got Game 1 right now so we're gonna prepare for Game 2," said Monteverde.

"So we're gonna do our best, lahat ng makakaya namin to get it, and when that game day comes, whatever comes our way, we're gonna face the challenge there," he added.

UP will once again lean on one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown, who played a huge role in their Game 1 win, along with graduating guard JD Cagulangan. They also hope to get another fine performance from rookie Jacob Bayla, who was the primary defender of reigning Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao in the second half of the game.

Quiambao had scored 18 points in the first two quarters but managed just one point the rest of the way, and his woes from the field played a huge factor in La Salle's downfall.

Before tip-off, the UAAP will recognize the best individual players in the basketball tournaments, with Quiambao tipped to receive his second straight MVP trophy.

Should La Salle go on to win the game, the deciding Game 3 is scheduled for Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

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