MANILA, Philippines — With Ateneo still the only team to lock in a Final Four seat, the rest of the UAAP semi-final hopefuls continue to battle for positions in another crucial series of matches on Saturday, April 23.
Adamson (4-6) vs. UST (3-7)
A surging Adamson team aims to boost their chances in the Final Four against a struggling UST team at 10 a.m.
Riding a three-game winning streak, the Falcons are hoping to break a three-game stalemate in fourth place with the FEU Tamaraws and NU Bulldogs.
Expect rising star Jerom Lastimosa to be at the forefront of the Falcons’ charge against the Tigers, who are trying to stay alive in the Final Four race.
The Tigers, led by Sherwin Concepcion, are also looking to redeem themselves from an embarrassing 50-point loss to defending champions Ateneo.
Ateneo (10-0) vs NU (4-6)
Although assured of a place in the Final Four, the undefeated Ateneo plan to go all out even as NU aim for a crucial win in the 12:30 duel.
The Bulldogs, led by John Lloyd Clemente and Mike Malonzo, need the win more as they cling to fourth place with the FEU Tamaraws and Adamson Falcons.
But the mighty Blue Eagles seem determined to stick with their “40-minute performance” against the Bulldogs, who are hoping to bounce back from a heartbreak against the Tams.
UP (8-2) against La Salle (7-3)
UP are trying to secure a place in the Final Four this time around, but La Salle is looking to foil all that by offering a share of second place in the crucial 4:30 showdown.
The Maroons saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end against the Adamson Falcons – a surprise defeat which also spoiled UP’s first attempt at a semi-final berth.
In contrast, the Green Archers avoided a monumental upset against a winless UE in an overtime thriller as Justine Baltazar and Mike Phillips delivered sensational double-double performances.
With plenty at stake, expect a fierce battle between the two star-studded teams.
EU (0-10) vs FEU (4-6)
FEU vies to stay in the heart of the Final Four race against a gritty team from EU in the 7 p.m. nightcap.
Hoping to ride on their gutsy, behind-the-scenes victory over NU, the Tamaraws are aiming to get a winning streak with RJ Abarrientos, LJay Gonzales and the latest FEU hero Xyrus Torres.
But there is still no gap with the Warriors, who scared La Salle in extra time as they bid for a decisive triumph.
– Rappler.com
