De La Salle University shoots for a third straight win and payback against first-round tormentor University of Santo Tomas in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Green Archers try to pick up from where they left off to start their second round campaign at 4:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Adamson University seeks a second straight win against winless University of the East at 1:30 p.m.

Despite losing Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan to season-ending knee injuries, La Salle has turned its shaky run around by winning consecutive games including a morale-boosting 72-69 decision over reigning champion University of the Philippines in a rematch of the previous finals last Sunday.

“Losing Kean and Mason really kind of shook the dynamics of this team, but we know that somebody’s going to step up,” La Salle head coach Topex Robinson said.

Robinson expects the likes of Luis Pablo, EJ Gollena, Doy Dungo, Vhoris Marasigan and Earl Abadam to play their part and help workhorse Mike Phillips and Jacob Cortez.

On the other hand, the Tigers want to replicate their 93-84 upset in the first round that ended a 16-game head-to-head losing skid to La Salle.

UST is reeling from a 59-69 loss to the Falcons for its second defeat in seven games.

Nic Cabanero and center Collins Akowe, who posted 20 points and 19 rebounds against the Green Archers in their initial meeting, will be at the forefront of the second-running Tigers’ attempt to get back on the winning track.

Meanwhile, Adamson sports a 3-4 card in solo sixth and very much in the running for a Final Four seat.

The Red Warriors are still searching for the elusive first win after a listless first round.

UE is again playing without head coach Chris Gavina and team captain Wello Lingolingo, who are serving their second of four-game and three-game suspensions, respectively.