UAAP basketball tips off

MANILA, Philippines — Vengeful La Salle and reigning champion University of the Philippines begin their trilogy bid against separate counterparts as they headline the explosive opening weekend of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament today at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.

La Salle plunges into action against Adamson in the main game today at 4:30 p.m. followed by UP’s visit to host Santo Tomas’ turf tomorrow at the same time.

Serving as appetizer of the La Salle-Adamson duel is the Far Eastern U-Ateneo clash at 2 p.m. For UP the next day, raising the curtain is National U against UE at 1 p.m.

But the pressure for now is on the Green Archers to usher in a new era in style following the graduation of two-time UAAP Kevin Quaimbao, who’s already in the Korean Basketball League with the Goyang Sono Skygunners.

In lieu of the Gilas Pilipinas forward is new team captain Mike Phillips, eyeing to inherit the mantle of leadership with flying colors to bring back the title in Taft.

“I get so much inspiration from KQ and I believe that’s the testament of his hard work in those two MVPs and our two finals. I’ll try my best to do the same and help lead the team,” said Phillips, also out to win the school’s third straight MVP plum after finishing second to Quiambao last season for Mythical Five citation.