Final 4 race gets tighter for 6 teams
THE FINAL Four race remained tight with six teams still in the hunt going into the last two weeks of eliminations of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
“It’s not going to be easy,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol. “Everybody is going to find a way to win.”
Far Eastern University already secured at least a Final Four playoff berth, but deputy coach Eric Gonzales said the Tamaraws want more than just a semifinal entry.
Article continues after this advertisement“A triple tie at 11 wins is still possible and we don’t want to get into that,” said Gonzales, who’s calling the shots before coach Nash Racela returns this weekend from the Fiba World Cup in Spain.
The Tamaraws, who hold the solo No. 1 spot with a 9-2 record, aim to sweep their last three games to stay on top and claim the twice-to-beat semifinal advantage.
Just right behind the Tamaraws are rivals Ateneo and La Salle, who share second at 8-3.
Article continues after this advertisement“We have to focus on the coming games,” said Perasol. “All the teams in the top four are just waiting for the team that will fall first.”
The Blue Eagles target a sweep of cellar-dwelling teams University of the Philippines and Adamson this week to nail a Final Four berth, while the defending champion Archers likewise face a crucial assignment against a University of Santo Tomas side that’s fighting for survival.
“We have to be more consistent, both physically and mentally,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler. “Probably more mentally. At this point, we should try not to commit mental mistakes.”
National University slipped to fourth at 7-4 last Sunday after bowing to University of the East, 64-55, which gave the Warriors a chance to still crash into the Final Four.
“We want to stay alive,” said coach Derrick Pumaren after his Warriors climbed to fifth with a 6-5 record.
The Tigers, running sixth at 5-6, face a more arduous task to stay in contention as they need to win over the Archers, while hoping that the Bulldogs also lose against the Maroons.
“There’s still hope but it’s slim,” said UST coach Bong dela Cruz.
