Games today: (Filoil Flying V Centre)

9 a.m. – UE vs UST (Jrs)

11 a.m. – FEU vs AdU (Jrs)

1 p.m. – DLSZ vs UPIS (Jrs)

3 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo (Jrs)

National University seeks to solidify its hold of the top spot against defending champion Ateneo as hostilities in the UAAP Season 81 juniors basketball tournament resume today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Bullpups hope to put up another winning streak in their televised 3 p.m. duel with the Blue Eaglets in a rematch of last year’s Finals.

After a narrow loss to Adamson University that ended its unbeaten five-game run, NU got back on track with a 78-62 romp of Ateneo for a 6-1 record at the end of the first round last Dec. 15.

Hoping to regain the crown they last won in 2016, the Bullpups are making strides this season courtesy of first-year center Carl Tamayo, who in four games have averaged 11.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per contest, and Terrence Fortea, who leads the team in scoring with 14.3 points.

The Eaglets, who are locked in a three-way tie at 5-2 with the Baby Falcons and Far Eastern University-Diliman, will be bannered by frontliner Kai Sotto.

With league-bests 25.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks to go with 2.7 assists per game, Sotto is lording it over the season MVP race.

FEU-Diliman and Adamson University collide in a midday marquee match-up at 11 a.m.

In other matches to open the second round, La Salle-Zobel and UP Integrated School clash at 3 p.m., while University of Santo Tomas and University of the East play at 9 a.m.

Tags: Adamson University , Carl Tamayo , Kai Sotto , National University , Terrence Fortea , UAAP , UAAP Season 81 , University of Santo Tomas , University of the East