UAAP: Gani Stevens, champion UP look to pounce on injury-hit La Salle in Finals rematch

The UP Fighting Maroons, defending champions, are set to face the DLSU Green Archers in a UAAP Season 88 men's basketball game on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with tip-off at 4:30 p.m. This match marks the first encounter between the two teams since last season's Finals, where UP defeated La Salle in Game 3 to win their second championship in four years.

UP enters the game with a 4-2 record and is currently on a four-game winning streak, making them the league's hottest team after overcoming a slow start. In their previous game, they narrowly defeated the FEU Tamaraws 69-66, led by Harold Alarcon's 15 points and Gani Stevens' 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Fighting Maroons aim to extend their winning streak to five games and finish the first round strongly, while putting pressure on the injury-plagued DLSU Green Archers, who are struggling in the standings.