With a 5-2 record, the UST Growling Tigers trail only top-ranked NU in one of the most competitive opening rounds in recent UAAP memory.
Halfway through the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, NU stands tall atop the standings.
The Bulldogs sustained their blistering start, closing out the first round of eliminations with a 6-1 record — matching their best start in two years.
But in a season this competitive, the chase pack is never far behind.
National U has won its last three games, dispatching Adamson before scoring key wins against title contenders La Salle and Ateneo to stay at pole position.
[ALSO READ: Coach Jeff Napa stays grounded despite sizzling 6-1 NU start to UAAP Season 88]
Meanwhile, the UST Growling Tigers finished Round 1 at 5-2, splitting their final two games after beating FEU but falling to Adamson.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Cabañero credits UST's 3OT win over Ateneo as key to latest conquest of tough FEU]
The real drama, however, lies just behind.
Defending champion UP, La Salle, and Ateneo are locked in a three-way tie for third at 4-3.
The Green Archers picked up crucial wins over the Red Warriors and the Fighting Maroons for their first winning streak of the season.
[ALSO READ: Undermanned La Salle wins 'character game' vs UP to force triple-tie in UAAP standings]
Meanwhile, Ateneo saw a red-hot 4-0 start unravel into a three-game skid, while UP’s four-game winning run ended at the hands of La Salle.
[ALSO READ: Tab Baldwin stays optimistic despite rocky UAAP start for Ateneo: 'There’s better to come']
Lurking close behind, the Soaring Falcons hold a 3-4 card, hoping to carry momentum from back-to-back wins into Round 2.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Nash Racela glad to see Adamson protect lead early in beating UST]
At the lower end, the Tamaraws sits at sixth with a 2-5 record, while the Red Warriors remain winless at 0-7, still searching for its first taste of victory.
Round 2 tips off Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena, with FEU facing Ateneo at 2 p.m., followed by UP vs. NU in the main game at 4:30 p.m.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.