THREE teams—University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, and National University plunge to action with one goal: stay in the hunt for the last two Final Four slots.
Which among the squads can realize their target will be known today as the chase for semifinal berths enters its crucial juncture in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Growling Tigers face the reinvigorated National University Bulldogs in the nightcap at 6:30 p.m. after the Tamaraws try to score a big upset of the defending champions La Salle Green Archers at 3:30.
With a 5-6 record and clinging to a one-game lead over Adamson University and FEU in the race for the No. 4 spot, UST is not one to look past NU, especially with the Bulldogs coming off a stunning 67-47 rout of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last Sunday that stoked their card to 3-8.
The Tigers will take the hard court for the first time since Oct. 27 when it halted a three-game losing streak with a 79-70 victory over the Tams.
Even the third-running University of the East, which struggled in the second round after an impressive 5-2 start, is not yet assured of a Last Four stint.
The Red Warriors (6-5) are separated by two games between the Falcons and FEU, and even UST can dislodge the Recto-based quintet at the No. 3 spot.
Pacesetting La Salle, with a 10-1 mark, has already clinched a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four and its second-round rematch with UP on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, could likely decide the top seed.
Carrying a 9-2 record, UP is assured of a playoff for the No. 2 spot. The 20-point loss to the Bulldogs derailed the Maroons’ bid to bag the last win-once incentive.
Fighting for dear life, NU is looking forward to a few more big barks that can still save them—or spoil others.
