Games Today (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — UP vs Adamson
4 p.m. — FEU vs La Salle

Far Eastern University and La Salle clash on Friday with both teams hoping to bounce back from their opening day defeats in the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws, fancied as one of the strongest teams this season owing to the presence of three members of the RP developmental team in their fold, lost to defending champion Ateneo, 63-59, while the rookie-laden Green Archers bowed to University of the East, 65-46.

They will clash at 4 p.m. after the 2 p.m. tussle between University of the Philippines and Adamson.

Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas are on top of standings with similar 2-0 records.

FEU rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half but their effort proved not enough to stop the Eagles.

FEU’s defeat incensed coach Glenn Capacio, who said: “Wala pa kaming napapatunayan na malakas kami. Kahit sabi sa mga dyaryo na malakas kami dapat sa court namin ipakita," Capacio said.

Despite the embarrassing loss to the Red Warriors, La Salle coach Franz Pumaren believes his team, which has six rookies, including former San Sebastian Staglet Arvie Bringas, ex-UAAP juniors MVP Joseph Marata, and Joel Tolentino, will perform better after their opening day jitters.

"There's no question that they (FEU) got the upperhand but I think we can compete, there's no question about that," Pumaren said. "It's just opening day jitters, at least the advantage is that we were able to see good things about the team." — Jonas Terrado