Maroons eye win No. 3 vs Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines — In an arms race with reigning champion and last season finals’ foe La Salle, host University of the Philippines faces the crippled but dangerous National U today in the UAAP Season 87 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

And UP sports a pretty chance to achieve the mission, looming as a heavy favorite in the 6:30 p.m. tiff against NU (1-1) without foreign student-athlete Mo Diassana following his ACL injury in the opening weekend.

Winless Far Eastern U (0-2) and University of the East (0-2) clash at 4:30 p.m.

UP took care of its first two assignments last week but still trails La Salle, which gained an early leeway following a 3-0 start, as both teams prime up for an expected finals rematch after an epic duel last season.