FOUR teams are still fighting for the last two spots in the UAAP Season 87 Final Four and the chase gets tighter and tighter as we approach the end.
And with these tickets still up for grabs, let’s take a look at the possible path to the postseason for these contenders.
UE (6-6)
Remaining Games: Nov. 13, vs. Ateneo; Nov. 21, vs. UP
Coach Jack Santiago was correct when he said that seven is indeed the magic number.
With six wins, the Red Warriors have the inside track among the remaining teams as they are already assured of at least a playoff for the fourth spot.
Of course, UE wants to take care of business and win its next two games to lock up the no. 3 spot.
READ: As UE bombs in round two, Jack Santiago scrambles for answers
One win, though, should be enough to get them in although the positioning will still depend on the outcome of the games for their closest pursuers.
In the event that the Recto side finds themselves tied at 7-7 with either UST or Adamson, the Red Warriors will slide to the no. 4 spot.
What UE can’t afford, however, is to lose its last two games and go down to 6-8. They have the inferior quotient among the three teams and, if there will be a wild four-way tie for the no. 4 spot, they will face off against FEU in the first level of the stepladder.
UST (6-7)
Remaining Game: Nov. 16, vs. Adamson
Simply put, the boys of coach Pido Jarencio is in a must win situation.
Win and UST can sit back and relax knowing that its Final Four seat is already fixed as they can still go up to no. 3 with a 7-7 slate.
Lose and that’s where the complications begin as the Growling Tigers will have to root hard for the other teams to do the bidding for them: first for UE to not win any of its remaining games or for Adamson to lose its last game against Ateneo to still be able to tie at 6-8.
If one of these things don’t happen, then it’s going to be a nightmare scenario for the Espana crew.
Adamson (5-7)
Remaining Games: Nov. 16, vs. UST; Nov. 21, vs. Ateneo
Compared to UST, Adamson has a little bit more leeway with two more games still in its schedule.
But coach Nash Racela does not want his Soaring Falcons to be tripped as he understands that they no longer have any room for error.
A victory over UST will bolster its case as it can secure at least a playoff for the final spot, while another win against Ateneo will ensure its place in the Final Four.
Lose, though, and that’s where things get iffy as the San Marcelino crew turn their attention to UE and wish that the Red Warriors lose their last two games.
FEU (5-8)
Remaining Game: Nov. 16, vs. UP
Of all four teams, FEU is in the most dire situation of all and has the toughest schedule left.
Coach Sean Chambers and the Tamaraws are shooting for a miraculous performance against the mighty University of the Philippines.
But even if they accomplish the upset, they still need the chips to fall in their favor to have a shot at making it through as they are hoping that only one team between UE, UST, and Adamson reach seven wins.
If two teams nab seven victories, then that’s the end of the road for the Morayta crew.
However, in the wild event that there will be a four-way tie at 6-8, FEU will still face UE in the first level of the stepladder before bracing for UST and Adamson.
Lose, and that’s it for FEU this season.
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