THE UAAP keeps on getting better, as the final spot in the Season 86 men’s basketball competition Final Four has yet to be grabbed. On Sunday, the Ateneo Blue Eagles and Adamson Soaring Falcons will compete for sole fourth place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
During the first round’s ‘Battle of the Birds,’ the Soaring Falcons were able to overcome a 19-point first-half deficit, thanks to the heroics of Vince Magbuhos, who hit the game-winning shot to help Adamson defeat the defending champion, Ateneo, 74-71 in overtime.
The two teams had contrasting results in their prior meetings. The Blue Eagles ended their three-game losing streak by defeating the Growling Tigers, 67-59. Meanwhile, the Soaring Falcons were defeated 69-57 by the UAAP’s hottest team, the DLSU Green Archers.
Despite having different outcomes from their prior assignments, both teams face a difficult test tomorrow as their season may be on the line. What can we expect from the two teams in light of this?
Ateneo Blue Eagles
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
The Blue Eagles’ season has been unstable, with them winning and losing games from left to right. The squad went on its longest losing streak in a decade, with three, and has been in unknown territory for the majority of the season.
With three games remaining, head coach Tab Baldwin stated that the team’s mindset remains the same as it was when the season began. “Same as there always is. You guys might not believe me when I say, it’s always the next game,” Baldwin says.
“At the end of the season, you can talk about slumps and streaks, but we only have right now the fact that we have to break this game down and analyze it, and prepare for Adamson,” Baldwin said following their win against UST.
“That’s our mindset, we lose, we move on to the next one. We win, we move on to the next one,” he went on to say. “That will never ever change. That is the mindset now and forever, lock it in cement, it won’t change,” Baldwin insisted.
Kai Ballungay led the Blue Eagles in their previous game with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Chris Koon, who had struggled from the field, finished with 12 points on 10 tries, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Jared Brown added 10 points for the Blue Eagles, while freshman Raffy Celis supplied eight points, 11 rebounds, and three assists off the bench.
Adamson Soaring Falcons
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Back in Season 85, the Soaring Falcons were able to claim a position in the Final Four thanks to Jerom Lastimosa’s heroics in a thrilling playoff win over the La Salle Green Archers, 80-76.
This season, even with Lastimosa out due to a severe ACL tear, the story remains the same as the Soaring Falcons continue to play well and are still vying for a surprising Final Four trip.
“We’re pretty much in the hunt just like the other team that you want in the Final Four,” coach Nash Racela stated after their victory over UST. “Again, there’s expectation and there’s reality. Ang reality is always based on what’s happening.”
Despite the loss of their major player in Lastimosa, coach Nash Racela remains confident in his current lineup. “Right now, we’re happy that we’re competing and we have a chance in the Final Four, kahit na hindi kami ‘yung ine-expect na makapasok,” he went on to explain.
“Syempre mayroong mga ine-expect diyan, but we’ll do our best. We’ll try every game to give ourselves a chance. Hopefully, ayaw pa namin isipin, basta one game at a time,” in reference to their status as underdogs.
Didat Hanapi led the Adamson Soaring Falcons in scoring with 16 points in a losing effort against the hot Green Archers. Matthew Montebon had 11 points and five rebounds, and Joem Sabandal had 10 points and six rebounds.
The Fight for the Final Four Spot
The fans will have a good time, but the teams will face big hurdles as the second round of UAAP action gets tighter and tighter as teams continue to drag each other down into the deep waters.
There are now three teams that have officially secured a Final Four position but are still vying for the twice-to-beat advantage. Meanwhile, four teams are still competing for the final berth.
Based on computed reports, whichever of Adamson and Ateneo can go three-of-three in the last stretch of the second round would take the final last Four spot, regardless of how UE or FEU do in the final weekend of prelims play.
However, the ball is round, and UAAP basketball has always been unpredictable, as we have seen in prior seasons. Let us now wait and watch which of these four teams will be able to compete in the Final Four.
