AFTER a year of preparation for the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament, the surviving teams are ready to face the Final Four mayhem, with the matchups planned for Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On Wednesday, the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons caught the final bus to the Final Four, defeating the previous third-seeded University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, who had a six-game losing streak.
Joining them are the reigning champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers.
Holding on to their individual aims of delivering their universities to the promised land, these four teams will face off to try to remove one another and offer themselves a chance at a title match this season.
UP-UST: Which history will repeat itself?
What better way to kick off the Final Four mayhem than with two of today’s most stacked and talented collegiate teams: the UP Fighting Maroons (2nd) and the UST Growling Tigers (3rd)?
Not to mention, this showdown not only features must-see great rosters, but also an intriguing storyline based on their Final Four history in recent years and this year’s elimination phase.
The last time UST made it past the elimination phase was in Season 82, when they advanced to the Finals. The semifinals became a stepladder format when the Ateneo Blue Eagles swept the elimination round.
Following their victory over the No. 4 FEU Tamaraws, the No. 3 UST took on the No. 2 UP. The Growling Tigers advanced to the Finals after surprising UP twice, including Renzo Subido’s game-winning triple in Game 2.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Despite being the top two and three teams, their win-loss records at the end of the elimination round this season are quite different, demonstrating how much the plot has evolved over the years.
Putting up a tough challenge and leading most of the time against the Fighting Maroons, the Growling Tigers were still defeated 70-81 in the first round and 73-83 in the second round encounters.
Pido Jarencio’s group, comprising Forth Padrigao, Kyle Paranada, Mo Tounkara, Nic Cabañero, and Christian Manaytay, will create their own ‘David and Goliath’ storyline this semifinals.
As JD Cagulangan will aim to reaffirm his UST mastery for UP’s Goldwin Monteverde-led squad, assisted by reliable teammates Harold Alarcon, Francis Lopez, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Terrence Fortea.
DLSU-AdU: Dominate or Upset?
The DLSU Green Archers may have entered the Final Four as the top-seeded team, backed up by a superb 12-2 record, but they are not quite out of the woods, especially when facing the tenacious AdU Soaring Falcons.
Following an early upset defeat to the UE Red Warriors, 71-75, the reigning champions embarked on a nine-game winning streak until suffering another stunning loss, 54-63, to the NU Bulldogs late in the second round.
Nonetheless, the Taft-based group dominated the San Marcelino represent Adamson in two of their matches, defeating them by 30 points, 82-52 in the first round and 70-45 in the second.
Adamson, on the other hand, survived a stunning comeback to get to the Final Four. Following a five-game losing streak, they upset Ateneo and then defeated UE in a knockout game, 68-55, to secure fourth place.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
With DLSU’s formidable squad on both ends and AdU looking to shake up the competition in their second Final Four appearance in three seasons, both teams are anticipated to put everything on the line.
Topex Robinson, the Green Archers’ head coach, and his friend Kevin Quiambao will try to make another finals appearance, along with veterans Mike Phillips, Joshua David, JC Macalalag, and Raven Gonzales.
Meanwhile, the Nash Racela-coached Soaring Falcons will try to pull off another upset and continue their dark horse status, led by Matthew Montebon, Cedrick Manzano, AJ Fransman, Matt Erolon, and Royca Mantua.
The MVP and ROY
Meanwhile, following a phenomenal UAAP Season 87 and dominance throughout the elimination phase, DLSU’s Quiambao is expected to win his second consecutive season MVP title this year.
This marks him the fifth Lasallian to win back-to-back UAAP MVP honors, behind Ben Mbala (2016 and 2017), Don Allado (1998 and 1999), Mark Telan (1996 and 1997), and Jun Limpot (1987 and 1988).
FEU Tamaraws’ super rookie Veejay Pre, who has 13.29 points (third) and 7.0 rebounds (ninth), a statistical record that would place him 11th in the MVP race, is set to be named as this season’s Rookie of the Year.
Mythical Team
Quiambao accumulated 81.357 statistical points (SPs) from his league-leading 16.64 points from 30 minutes of play, grabbed 8.64 rebounds (sixth), had 4.07 assists (fourth), and 1.0 steal.
Behind the 6-foot-7 forward is his teammate Mike Phillips, who finished second in the MVP race with 74.928 SPs thanks to 12.0 points (seventh), 11.57 boards (third), 1.71 steals (second), and 1.07 blocks (fourth).
Along with them is their UP Fighting Maroons floor general foe, JD Cagulangan, who has 69.167 SPs after averaging 11.75 points (sixth), 5.0 assists (second), and a league-best 1.75 steals in third place.
Mo Konateh of FEU Tamaraws ranks fourth on the list and top among foreign student-athletes, with 68.643 SPs, based on 10.21 points, and leads the league in rebounding with 16.71 rebounds and 2.36 blocks.
Nic Cabañero, UST Growling Tigers’ main gunner, rounded out the Mythical Team with 61.0 SPs based on his 16.29 points (second), 5.43 rebounds, and 1.93 assists.
Setting that aside, the UAAP Season 87 Final Four’s powerful programs and compelling underdog stories will definitely provide the fans with the excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments they seek.
The biggest question now is whether UAAP fans will see another set of Finals matchups, or if the Green Archers and Fighting Maroons will be able to overcome the Cinderella runs of the Soaring Falcons and Growling Tiger.
All will be answered when the UP Fighting Maroons and UST Growling Tigers face off at 3:30 PM, followed by the DLSU Green Archers and AdU Soaring Falcons at 6:30 PM, all at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
