Games today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
11 a.m. — UE vs Ateneo
1 p.m. — UP vs UST
4 p.m. — La Salle vs FEU
6 .m. — NU vs Adamson
Co-leaders University of the Philippines and National University are out to secure at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four against separate rivals in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 men’s basketball tournament today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Fighting Maroons battle also-ran University of Santo Tomas at 1 p.m. while the Bulldogs square off with a desperate Adamson University side in the 6 p.m. main game of the quadruple-bill playdate that will have important implications for teams still in contention for the semis incentives and the last Final Four berth.
Defending champion Ateneo de Manila University shoots for at least a playoff for the remaining semis ticket but will face tough resistance from a University of the East side trying to avoid elimination in their 11 a.m. encounter.
Streaking De La Salle University seeks a seventh straight win to boost its chances for a semis bonus in the 4 p.m. showdown against eliminated Far Eastern University.
UP and NU share the top spot with similar 10-2 win-loss records. The two squads will also use their respective games to prime up for their much-anticipated rematch on Sunday to wrap up the elimination round.
But the Fighting Maroons still have to deal with struggling Tigers, who already have nothing to lose after another disappointing campaign.
UP won back-to-back games including an 81-64 drubbing of FEU last Saturday.
Although the obvious favorites over the same rival it demolished in the first round, 110-79, there will be no letting up for the Fighting Maroons as they are focused on clinching one of the top two spots heading into the semis.
“The good thing about our situation is that our destiny is in our hands. We are not in a situation where we need to rely on other teams,” UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said.
“So we take care of business in the next two games. Then obviously that twice-to-beat is no question, that’s where we are focused right now.”
CJ Cansino, Harold Alarcon, JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez, Aldous Torculas and Gerry Abadiano will be taking care of business for UP.
UST has yet to win a game in the second round losing five straight games including a 65-76 beating at the hands of NU last Saturday. Holding to a 1-11 record, the Tigers are just chasing an additional win in their last two assignments to avoid a repeat of their embarrassing finish last season.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, could seal the fate of the Falcons, who carry a 5-7 slate.
Adamson bowed to Ateneo, 58-62, last Sunday and a repeat of its 66-69 loss to NU in the first round will formally send it packing in the Final Four race.
A win by the Blue Eagles, who sport a 6-6 card at fourth spot, coupled by Adamson’s loss will hand them the last bus ride to the Final Four.
The Red Warriors (4-8) still have chance to get into the semis but must play perfect basketball the rest of the way. UE must also hope that Ateneo and Adamson won’t reach seven wins to forge a playoff for the remaining semis seat.
Meanwhile, the Green Archers just need to complete a second round sweep to force a playoff for a semis advantage.
La Salle parades a 9-3 record at third spot while FEU is at seventh with a 3-9 mark.
