FEU eyes last Final 4 berth

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. – NU vs UP 4 p.m. – Adamson vs FEU

Host Far Eastern University and two other hopefuls make one final push for the remaining Final Four berth today in the resumption of the UAAP Season 80 basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws, still with an inside track for the fourth and final semifinal spot, can earn a trip to the playoffs for the fifth straight year and avoid any playoff complications if they can get back at the No. 3 Adamson Soaring Falcons in their 4 p.m. encounter.

“We have to win our final game (in the eliminations),” said FEU’s firstyear coach Olsen Racela, simplifying the Tamaraws’ main objective as they also try to avenge a 95-79 loss to the Soaring Falcons last Oct. 7.

Meanwhile, National University and University of the Philippines intend to keep themselves in playoff contention as they square off in a virtual do-or-die showdown set at 2 p.m.

Tied at fifth to sixth spots with similar 5-8 marks, both the Bulldogs and the Fighting Maroons are eager to close out their respective elimination campaigns on a high note while hoping the Tamaraws will lose anew to the Soaring Falcons to earn another crack at the No. 4 spot via a knockout battle.

“We just control what we have in our hands,” said NU coach Jamike Jarin, whose Bulldogs fought their way back from a 15-point deficit in the final canto and pulled off an 8784 stunner over the Tamaraws last Wednesday.

“We don’t have any control of the other games. But rest assured we will still give our best no matter what. I’m hoping for a miracle of course. We’re hoping for that.”

The Fighting Maroons, who last reached the Final Four in 1997, are also having the same thoughts too since they are eager to stop a twogame losing skid and return the favor to the Bulldogs who foiled them 77-70 last Oct. 8.

—JEROME LAGUNZAD