Tams target semis bonus vs Bulldogs
Leader Far Eastern U and embattled titlist National U face off again today in a high-stakes encounter between last year’s finals protagonists, determined to boost their respective quests in the UAP Season 78 men’s basketball tourney at the MOA Arena.
Although safely in the Final Four with a leading 10-2 card, the Tams shoot for a muchneeded victory in the 4 p.m. match to ensure their position in the Top 2 and enjoy the corresponding twice-to-beat advantage.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs (6-7) are engaged in a tight race for the remaining semis seat with idle La Salle (6-7) and a big triumph will assure them of at least a playoff for No. 4.
“It’s a must-win for us to get the twice-to-beat incentive,” said FEU coach Nash Racela.
The Tams can get the top seeding in the Final Four if they beat the Bulldogs and the Archers on Wednesday. If they split their remaining two outings, they will settle for No. 2 behind University of Santo Tomas (11-3). But if FEU will lose both games, it will finish with 10-4 and face the risk of possibly going through a knockout for second spot if Ateneo (9-4) picks its 10th win in the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser against University of the East (4-8).
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, seek to end with an even 7-7 to get the inside track against the idle Archers.
“We just have to take care of our business and let the rest take care of itself,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano whose wards are on a three-game streak.
FEU is reeling from a 76-85 setback to UST last week and is eager to get back on track.
“Maybe it (loss to UST) is a blessing in disguise. The players will be more focused in our last two games,” said Racela.
“Obviously FEU is one of the best teams this season. They’re coming off a loss and I’m sure they want to redeem themselves. It’s an important game for them to get the twice-to-beat advantage so we have to prepare and do what we can in terms of what we can control,” said Altamirano.
The streaking Eagles and the semis-chasing Warriors collide in the 2 p.m. first game.
“It’s not in our hands but we’ll still try to contend for the twice-to-beat, just in case (FEU yields its last two games),” said Ateneo mentor Bo Perasol.
The Warriors aim to beat AdMU today and University of the Philippines on Wednesday to finish with six wins and hope that both NU and DLSU lose their last assignments to forge a threeway tie for fourth.