UP targets No. 2 spot, third straight win vs skidding UE

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines hopes to secure the No. 2 spot at the end of the first round when it takes on University of the East on Saturday in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. The Fighting Maroons are also eyeing their first three-game winning streak of the season in the 2:30 p.m. matchup, while the Red Warriors seek to avoid becoming the third team in league history to suffer 27 consecutive defeats. Far Eastern University and National University, both tied with UP at 4-2, dispute the top spot when they close out the first round at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym. The Fighting Maroons suffered back-to-back losses to the Tamaraws, 79-90, and the Bulldogs, 64-72. However, coach Goldwin Monteverde made the necessary adjustments following those defeats, steering UP to victories over modern-day rival De La Salle, 80-76, and hard-fighting Adamson University, 69-67, to earn a share of first place. "We won our first two games, it's been a little extreme. Then, we lose two, and then we win two again. We have a chance to make it three and finish on a good note for the first round. We just gotta play...