Five squads still have shot at two Final 4 slots

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas may have secured the first two UAAP Final Four seats, but the men’s basketball elimination round still looks headed for a tight finish with five teams still in the mix.

Ateneo (7-4) and La Salle (5-6) may be inside the top four, but the two rivals remain far from safe with defending champion National University (5-7) starting to close in.

Statistically, even University of the Philippines (3-7) and University of the East (3-7) still have a shot at the fourth spot.

“What’s in our mind right now is we want to hurdle all our [remaining] assignments,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “We’ll see where that gets us.”

Chance to regroup

All teams get a chance to work on their games and regroup as the league takes a break this weekend in observance of All Saint’s Day.

Action resumes on Wednesday with University of Santo Tomas (9-2) hoping to boost its bid for the twice-to-beat semifinal bonus versus UE at 2 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum .

Ateneo also vies to strengthen its hold of the third spot versus UP in the other match at 4 p.m.

FEU (10-1), although just a win away from clinching the Final Four bonus, has no plans of slowing down.

“We’re not really assured of the top two, so we’ll try to continue to play the same way and hopefully, build on it going to the playoffs,” said FEU coach Nash Racela.

Only the top two teams at the end of the elimination round will earn the twice-to-beat semifinal bonus.

“We have to take care of our own business, control what we can control [in the remaining games],” La Salle coach Juno Sauler said of his Green Archers, who stand just half a game ahead of the Bulldogs.