THE action heats up as the top two teams square off in a crucial tiff in the homestretch of the elimination round of the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
Top-ranked Far Eastern University (10-1) wants to assure itself of the first twice-to-beat incentive and the top seed heading into the Final Four, while second-running University of Santo Tomas (9-3) also aims on strengthening its bid for a top two finish and the same reward as the top dogs face off again at 4 p.m. in a much-anticipated game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
Preceding that is a tussle between University of the East (4-7), which remains in the running for the last semifinals berth, and already-eliminated cellar-dweller Adamson University (2-10) at 2 p.m. to start the hostilities.
Both the Tamaraws and the Growling Tigers, who already booked tickets to the Final Four, have yet to lock up the two spots since Ateneo De Manila (8-4) still has an outside shot of breaking in as well.
However, the current situation is more favorable for FEU since it is already assured of at least a playoff for a top two finish. Should it win its 10th straight game, it will automatically lock the top seed and the first of two twice-two-beat incentive in the next round as well.
For UST, which have lost two of its last three outings, it needs to win its last two games to assure itself a top two finish or at least one of for a playoff berth in case the Blue Eagles, who are just a game behind at No. 3, catch up when the dust settles. On the other hand, if UST loses, it will just be half-a-game ahead of Ateneo for No. 2.
The sizzling Tamaraws are the league’s hottest squad, having won nine straight outings. Incidentally, FEU’s only loss of the season came at the hands of UST in the first round early in the season, a thrilling 71-72 setback.
Retribution is on the mind of FEU, who routed Adamson 82-69 last week in its last win, while UST wants a repeat performance of what it did in their first meeting.
The Red Warriors, who are coming off a morale-boosting 91-77 upset win over the Tigers last Wednesday, still have the chance to make the top four as they only trail current No. 4 team La Salle (5-6) by one game and a win today will put them in a good position to earn a playoff for that coveted last ticket to the next phase.
UE needs to win its remaining two games have a good chance. Otherwise, a loss may eliminate it depending on the results of the other games.
Tomorrow (Sunday) two other crucial meetings between teams jockeying for position take place with Ateneo and La Salle resuming their rivalry in an all-important war at 4 p.m. while defending champion National University (5-7), the other team in the three-way chase for No. 4, dukes it out against University of the Philippines (3-8), who is technically still in the running as well though its chances are bleak, at 11 a.m.
The results of these weekend games will more or less shape up the structure of the Final Four ahead with only several games remaining in the eliminations.
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. • Adamson vs. UE
4 p.m. • UST vs. FEU
Games Tomorrow
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
11 a.m. • NU vs. UP
4 p.m. • Ateneo vs. La Salle