STANDING next to each other, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles will have to pass each other in order to secure a much higher position in the standings.
The Tamaraws and Blue Eagles will have to settle some business in a key second round encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 3:30 PM on Saturday, playing as if their lives and Final Four dreams depend on it.
Moreover, the Morayta-based squad will seek to capitalize on the Katipunan squad’s struggles throughout the second round, as they cannot afford to make any mistakes at this point in the season.
A heartbreaker
With both teams looking to rebound from heartbreaking losses in their previous games as the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament nears its conclusion, a crucial victory is more critical than ever.
The Tamaraws, who presently have a 4-8 record, were narrowly defeated by the defending champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in a thrilling 58-53 game.
FEU took advantage of DLSU’s bad shooting, which included Kevin Quiambao’s off night, and forced turnovers to keep it close. However, Jorick Bautista is a missing element for them, as he went scoreless throughout the game.
Mo Konateh and Veejay Pre have been the squad’s consistent contributors. Konateh had 14 points, 27 rebounds, and two blocks, while Pre had 12 points and five rebounds.
While their Final Four dreams are hanging by a thread, a win over Ateneo will keep their playoff ambitions alive as they face the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in their final elimination round encounter.
One last fight?
Ateneo, on the other side, has a 3-8 win-loss record and is having their most difficult season in recent years, coming off a 75-47 loss to UP, the biggest defeat under Coach Tab Baldwin’s tenure.
In their opening round match against FEU, it was a tough game that went to overtime, but Ateneo was unable to take the victory, losing 65-66 to the Morayta squad led by Bautista.
From being a team to beat in the Final Four race, the Blue Eagles are now attempting to reclaim some pride with a good comeback effort against the Tamaraws tomorrow.
The six-team race for the last two Final Four spots kicks into high gear this weekend, with the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers facing off at 6:30 PM.
