Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
For most of the season, De La Salle University has been occupying a Final Four spot.
But not until the Green Archers lost a crucial game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday.
La Salle needed a victory over Ateneo to stay in fourth place after defending champion National University knocked University of the Philippines off semifinals contention earlier.
But a 73-62 loss to the Eagles — their third defeat in a row — had the Archers sliding into fifth place with a 5-7 record which is a game behind the Bulldogs (6-7).
“We have to take care of our business in our last two games,” said DLSU head coach Juno Sauler.
Several weeks ago, La Salle had a tight hold of the fourth spot. But after Sunday’s games, the Archers’ Final Four chances are out of their hands.
For La Salle to earn a semis slot, the team has to sweep its remaining two games against UP and top seed Far Eastern U and hope NU stumbles in its final game against FEU on Saturday.
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