WHILE the top two seeds of the UAAP Season 87 are virtually locked up by La Salle and University of the Philippines already, the race for the remaining two slots in the Final Four are still pretty much wide open.
University of the East (6-4), University of Santo Tomas (5-6) and Adamson University (4-7) are set for a photo finish in the race to the semis, with the three teams still running close to each other entering the elimination round’s final stretch.
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What makes this race so interesting is that these three teams still have their fates in their hands, as the squad are yet to face each other in the second round, with the exception of the Adamson - UE match which ended with the Falcons taking a 45-37 win last Wednesday.
That said, let’s take a look at how the cards are dealt for each team.
UE has a leg up, but it’s not out of the woods yet
Remaining games: vs. FEU (Nov 3), vs. UST (Nov. 9), vs. Ateneo (Nov. 13), vs. UP (TBD)
After going on a five-game winning run to close out round one, the Red Warriors gave themselves some buffer in the race to the Final Four. But of all the three teams, they’re the one with the hardest schedule remaining as they’re yet to face UP in this round.
If there’s some good news, though, they can secure that spot way before they face the Fighting Maroons.
One win in their remaining four games would assure them of at least a playoff for a semis spot and if they can beat FEU this Sunday, they’d have two chances to secure their return to the semifinals, first up – fittingly – against UST, and then versus Ateneo
The Red Warriors’ position now goes to show the value of winning early and how one good run can be vital to a team’s campaign. But they can't afford to relax now given that one bad stretch could also take that away.
Can UST avoid another letdown?
Remaining games: vs. NU (Nov 6), vs. UE (Nov. 9) vs. Adamson (Nov. 13)
After such a promising offseason, the Growling Tigers are, to say the least, having an up and down campaign in Season 87.
They can’t afford to bounce around now with three tough games on their schedule remaining and Adamson breathing down their necks, a team they’ll face in what could be the most crucial match of the elimination round for both teams this November 13
But first, they need to take care of business against National University especially since they’re only a couple of games removed from being upset by Ateneo in their home court no less.
A loss against the Bulldogs would certainly add pressure to the Growling Tigers when they take on the Final Four-seeking UE a few games later.
But should they win their first two games? They’re basically assured of a playoff for a semis spot before they take on the Falcons.
Still, UST shouldn't have been in this position in the first place and now it hopes to rectify its early season inconsistencies by playing consistent when it matters the most.
Nash Racela, Adamson get their shot. Will they capitalize?
Remaining games: vs. NU (Nov. 10), vs. UST (Nov. 13), vs. Ateneo (TBD)
Before the season, all coach Nash Racela asked for was a chance to compete for a Final Four spot when the season goes down to the wire
By beating UE in an all important game last Wednesday, they got that, although they’re still at a disadvantage.
Like UST, the Falcons’ game versus NU is a virtual must-win as a loss takes their fate out of their hands before they even get to face the Growling Tigers.
Should they hurdle NU, they now have a chance to continue hunting the Growling Tigers before wrapping up the tournament by playing out their postponed game against Ateneo - in a game that could either send them to the semis, or have no bearing at all depending on the result of their game against UST.
Safe to say, Adamson has the lightest schedule of the three but on the flipside, it’s also the one who can’t afford to lose one game.
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