Crucial weekend up for Final Four chasers
It will be a survival weekend in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, with at least one team getting the boot from Final Four contention by the end of the games that will be held at Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena.
Far Eastern University will look to stay alive in the race and send neighboring University of the East to a record for futility in Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. opener at the Big Dome before La Salle tries to win one over University of the Philippines in the other game at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday at MOA pits Adamson and Ateneo in a win-or-go-home scenario at 1:30 p.m. to be followed by the matchup that will see University of Santo Tomas go for a Final Four berth against National University at 4:30 p.m.
UST holds a 7-5 record, La Salle holds an even 6-6 card, Adamson totes a 6-7 win-loss slate, while FEU and Ateneo hold identical 5-7 slates.
NU (11-2) and UP (10-3) are already assured of not just Final Four berths, but also of twice-to-beat incentives.
FEU is coming off an 84-83 upset of La Salle that kept its semifinal chances alive and is favored to get another win at the expense of a UE side that will look to salvage a miserable season.
UE has lost all 13 games and another defeat sends the Red Warriors into a dubious company of teams that spiraled into 0-14 seasons, including two UP squads from the Maroons’ dark ages era.
La Salle, on the other hand, eyes a repeat of its first-round triumph over UP, a 72-69 decision last Oct. 19 at the same Araneta floor.
The Green Archers have dropped their last three to put themselves from the verge of a Final Four spot to the brink of possibly missing out if they continue their slide.
UP, meanwhile, still has a shot at the top spot in the Final Four with a win plus a loss by NU to UST.
NU is aching to go No. 1 and cement its incredible campaign powered by coach Jeff Napa and forward Jake Figueroa.
Adamson downed La Salle, 61-60, last Wednesday to likewise stay in the hunt and beating Ateneo will keep itself in the chase, of course, with help from other teams.
Ateneo is desperate, to avoid another that practically ends any semifinal hope.
