WITH two games remaining in the elimination round, the UAAP Season 88 boys' basketball Final Four is already set.
NU-Nazareth School and De La Salle Zobel secured all-important victories on Wednesday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City, joining FEU-Diliman and Ateneo in the postseason.
READ: Baby Tams, Blue Eagles book first UAAP Season 88 playoff tickets
The Jr. Archers defeated Adamson, 71-59, while the Bullpups claimed an 80-73 win over the University of the East.
The Bullpups are making their 14th straight Final Four appearance since 2009.
"Proud ako sa mga bata dahil hindi nga naging maganda yung simula namin, pero tinrabaho nila ito para makaabot kami ulit sa Final Four," said head coach Kevin De Castro, who has never missed the playoffs since taking the helm in Season 85.
Meanwhile, the Jr. Archers return to the Final Four for the first time since Season 79 (2017).
“This means a lot. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, just going into this game, my emotions were all over the place. To be in this situation again na mabigyan kami ng opportunity to make the Final Four does not only mean a lot to me, but it also means a lot to coach Boris [Aldeguer],” said first-year shot-caller Gian Nazario.
“Aldeguer was really the architect of this program, and just to be given a chance to handle the team for him and for the program of Zobel, it means a lot na nadala ko ulit yung school sa Final Four,” he added, also noting his role as lead deputy to Green Archers coach Topex Robinson.
The Bullpups (10-2), Baby Tamaraws (10-2), and Blue Eagles (9-3) are still battling for the twice-to-beat advantages.
Taking care of business
NUNS even played one man short against UE, as Mot Matias served a one-game suspension for incurring his second unsportsmanlike foul during their 92-60 win over the University of the Philippines Integrated School last Saturday.
In Matias' absence, Chad Cartel stepped up with 24 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
Moussa Diakite, returning from a minor injury, contributed 16 points, 18 rebounds, five blocks, two assists, and one steal. Shaun Lucido added 16 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, as Corian Cabantog finished with eight points, six rebounds, and one assist.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Mikailu led DLSZ against Adamson with 21 points on 10-of-14 shooting, 22 rebounds, and six blocks.
Maco Dabao also contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, one block, and one assist; Nino Ferrer had 13 points and one steal; while Mark Borrero added eight points, 10 assists, and five rebounds.
UST, UE, and Adamson are tied from fifth to seventh with 4-8 slates.
The Scores:
Third Game:
DLSZ 71 - Mikailu 21, Dabao 15, Ferrer 13, Borrero 8, Favis 6, Atienza 5, Alpapara 3, Arejola 0, Llamas 0, Dimayuga 0, Luna 0.
ADAMSON 59 - Artango 20, Flores 12, Frogoso 6, Jenodia 5, Bautista 4, Matillano 4, Garcia 3, Gomez 2, Babad 2, Alcartado 1.
Quarters: 15-19, 34-36, 54-44, 71-59.
Fourth Game:
NUNS 80 - Cartel 24, Lucido 16, Diakite 16, Cabantog 8, Figueroa 7, Celiz 2, Tulabut 2, Bouzina 2, Juan 0, Matias 0, Timbang 0.
UE 73 - Roquid 18, Diaz 18, Abellar 13, Braga 7, Aguas 6, Edoukou 5, Lorenzo 4, Oraa 2, Timbol 0, Bual 0, Delos Reyes 0, Orca 0.
Quarters: 22-21, 40-36, 63-51, 80-73.
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