Crucial weekend for Tams’ Final 4 bid

FAR EASTERN University hopes to nail the first Final Four berth this weekend, needing a couple of things to happen to reach the semifinals of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament without complications.

For starters, the Tams need to beat also-ran  University of the Philippines today at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws, who will play minus head coach Nash Racela in the next two games, shoot for a ninth victory when they take on the Maroons at 2 p.m., hoping to secure at least a playoff for the semifinals.

The Tamaraws, though, can clinch a Final Four spot outright if University of Santo Tomas and University of the East, both tied at at 5-5, lose their assignments this weekend.

The Tigers go for a crucial win versus Ateneo in today’s second game at 4 p.m., while the Warriors also try to keep their bid alive against National University tomorrow.

“I’m confident that the players will be in good hands,” Racela said before leaving for the Fiba World Cup in Spain, where he will serve as deputy to national team coach Chot Reyes.

“The players are mentally prepared for the games that I will miss,” added Racela. “Every win will help us in our seeding.”

The Tamaraws grabbed the solo No. 1 spot after picking up a huge victory over defending champion La Salle, 74-70, last Wednesday.

The Maroons will have coach Rey Madrid at the sidelines as commissioner Andy Jao spared him from further sanction for his outburst that led to his ejection in their loss to NU, 77-65, last Wednesday.

Ateneo, locked in a three-way tie for second with La Salle and NU at 7-3, also aims to boost its Final Four chances with a win over UST.

“I told them the second round will be a different story because everybody now knows what we’re doing,” Ateneo coach Bo Perasol said of his Eagles, who have won only once in three games in the second round after topping the first round at 6-1.

The Tigers believe they have a shot against the Eagles after narrowly losing to them, 63-61, in the first round.

“We have to work hard and show heart,” said UST coach Bong dela Cruz.