THE ‘Battle of Katipunan’ is more intense than ever, as the neighboring University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons aim to snap the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles’ winning streak in UAAP Season 88.

Fresh off a big victory on Sunday against the DLSU Green Archers, the young Ateneo squad faces another tough test this afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, going head-to-head with the defending champions, UP.

Heading into the season, few anticipated the Blue Eagles would lead the standings — let alone sport an unblemished 4-0 win-loss record — while preseason favorites UP sit at an even 2-2.

With both squads out to prove themselves, the question remains: which Katipunan side will keep its streak alive — Ateneo gunning for a fifth straight win, or UP riding the wave for a third in a row?

Stacking It Up

The final score of Ateneo’s win over archrival La Salle may not tell the full story — they led by as much as 33 points midway through the third quarter, leaving the Green Archers scrambling for answers.

While much of the spotlight remains on 6-foot-8 do-it-all wingman Kymani Ladi, it was Dominic Escobar and Shawn Tuano who stole the show on Sunday, lifting the Blue Eagles past a surging rival.

Now with a better understanding of this young team’s potential in high-pressure games, Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin aims to build on this momentum and keep racking up wins in the early part of the tournament.

“They’re a really, really good team. But, you know, NU really had them on the ropes,” Baldwin said. “It’s going to be, you know, two teams that UP fighting to get back into where they know that they belong.”

“Back into the top four and top four contention, and us trying to hold on to a really outstanding start to the season. So both teams are playing for a lot, but I think that’s pretty much always the case early in the season,” he went on to explain.

Back in Form

On the other hand, UP got off to a rocky start, dropping their first two games—one a blowout and the other a heartbreaking buzzer-beater—but have since bounced back with two straight wins to even their record.

In their last outing, the Fighting Maroons overcame a 22-point deficit to defeat the Bulldogs, 66-59, with coach Goldwin Monteverde guiding them to their first winning streak of the season.

Despite knowing the threat posed by their next opponent and their own shaky start, the defending champions are more than ready to challenge their talent-packed squad and put up a strong fight.

“It’s the same approach, regardless of who we’re playing,” UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said. “Ateneo is also the only remaining team unbeaten.”

“But for us, it does not matter if it’s Ateneo or another team, we have time to prepare. We’re going to give them a fight and hopefully by Wednesday, everyone will be healthy and ready to go,” he added.

With everything set, the Ateneo Blue Eagles and UP Fighting Maroons will face off at 5:00 p.m., following the curtain-raiser between the NU Bulldogs and the skidding Adamson Soaring Falcons at 2:00 p.m.