TEAM standings: NU (5-2); UP (5-2); Adamson (4-3); UST (4-3); FEU (4-3); La Salle (3-4); Ateneo (3-4); UE (0-7) University of the Philippines (UP) aims to take one step ahead of the pack when it battles University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m. The Fighting Maroons currently share the No. 1 spot in the team standings with idle National University (NU) with identical 5-win, 2-loss records. A win by the Fighting Maroons will give them the solo lead but as setback would drop them in a tie with UST in second place. UP defeated University of the East (UE) last Saturday, 91-81, to end the first round with three straight wins. Against the winless Red Warriors, the Fighting Maroons were led by James Payosing with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Gani Stevens with 12 points and nine boards. “All the things we went through contribute to our growth,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde. “We’re going to talk about our adjustments but everything, good or bad, it’s still a learning experience for the team which we need toward the second round.” UST is also coming off an impressive win last Saturday as it demolished Ateneo, 80-68. Collins Akowe powered the Growling Tigers with 18 points and 15 rebounds while Mark Llemit and Amiel Acido chipped in 15 points apiece. “We’ll just stick to the system and stay ready because sometimes one of our players wouldn’t find their rhythm but others step up,” said UST assistant coach Japs Cuan. In the 2:30 p.m. curtain-raiser, UE aims to score its first win of the season when it faces defending champion De La Salle University.